14/09/2026
A reshuffle of investment hotspots has seen Belfast climb to second place, Edinburgh return to its top spot after placing fourth last year, and Milton Keynes also entered the top five.
The analysis, within Colliers’ latest Top UK Residential Investment Cities Report, shows that the Northern Irish capital recorded the highest number of first-place indicator rankings in this year’s study and topped both the Property and Liveability pillars.
The city delivers a rental yield of 10.7% and is one of the UK’s most affordable housing markets, with a house price-to-income ratio of 4.0 compared with the study average of 5.9.
Andrew White, head of residential at Colliers, said: “This year’s results reinforce the growing importance of regional markets within the UK residential investment landscape. Belfast’s rise to second place reflects a combination of affordability, strong rental performance and improving market fundamentals that continue to attract investor attention.
At the same time, Edinburgh’s continued presence at the top of the rankings demonstrates the value of long-term market resilience. The city combines strong economic fundamentals, a highly skilled workforce, and sustained housing demand, making it one of the UK’s most dependable residential investment locations.”