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House prices can be extravagant in certain beautiful areas of the UK, ranging from the south east to the south west, yet not all locations fall on the expensive side of the affordability spectrum. According to TV property expert Phil Spencer, more affordable choices do exist.

Using data from the UK House Price Index from December 2024 to December 2025, Phil Spencer has taken to his blog MoveiQ to share the number one "cheapest rural places to live in the UK" in 2026. Made up of three towns and four villages, the cheapest rural UK area for house prices lies in Inverclyde, Scotland. Situated along the broad coastal reaches of the River Clyde with "breathtaking views" to the Argyll Hills and Scottish Highlands, Inverclyde is an area of "unrivalled beauty", according to Inverclyde council.

Inverclyde comprises three bustling towns: Port Glasgow, Greenock, and Gourock - each offering its own unique flavour and attractions.

To the east, you'll find the picturesque villages of Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village, while to the west, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay beckon with their coastal allure.

On the shores of the River Clyde, there are plenty of rural delights. If you venture to Lyle Hill, you'll experience "one of the most fascinating views in Scotland", according to one traveller on TripAdvisor.

They added: "What an amazing location! During one of our regular trips to Scotland, decided to drive to Lyle Hill. What we saw was amazing! A panoramic view of the River Clyde joining the sea. Definitely not to be missed."

For golf lovers, there are six golf courses in the area with outstanding views of the river, too. Other popular outdoor activities are wild swimming, sailing and rowing.

Phil said that "Inverclyde holds the top spot on our list of 10 cheapest rural places to live in the UK".

If you're considering a move to Inverclyde, be prepared to discover a wealth of history and heritage that dates back to the 1500s. Newark Castle is a particularly popular place to visit, which is a "historic gem" according to a user on TripAdvisor. They added: "It is a beautiful, smallish but still impressive bit of Scotland's history surrounded by fabulous views."

In terms of house prices, Phil pointed out: "The average cost for a terraced house is just shy of £128,995, which means saving for a deposit will be considerably easier than in many other UK areas."

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average price of a home bought with a mortgage in Inverclyde was £125,000 in December 2025.

While considerably lower than the rest of the UK, Inverclyde's house prices have risen since the previous year. The average house price sat at £122,000 in December 2024.