According to the latest Rightmove data, the average price of a property in Hastings is around £300,000-£305,000, which is comfortably above many other parts of the country. By comparison, the most recent UK House Price Index puts the average UK house price at about £272,000 as of early 2026, while the South East regional average is roughly £381,000-£385,000. This shows that Hastings remains cheaper than the wider region but still more expensive than the UK overall.

The South East is still one of the priciest UK regions for buy-to-let investors, and remains among the most expensive areas outside London on most market measures.

While much of the South has seen flat or even slightly negative growth over the last year, Land Registry figures show that Hastings’ average price has held relatively firm.

Looking ahead, most industry commentators are optimistic with their forecasts for the remainder of the 2020s. Savills projects that mainstream house prices in the South East will rise by about 17.6% by 2029. Although slightly below the national forecast of roughly 22% over the same timeframe, this still offers meaningful long-term capital growth potential for investors focusing on solid, well-located towns like Hastings.

Learn More: Uncover the latest buy-to-let rules and what to look for in a buy-to-let property with our recent guides and insights!

Hastings Town Centre is a commercial and residential area, and a popular sub-district is the Hastings Old Town. Near the town’s seafront locations, it’s possible to find a property with sea views.

Areas to the east, such as Ore and West Hill, are more expensive than those to the north of central Hastings, like Blacklands. The west of Hastings is popular with commuters who work in places like Eastbourne and Bexhill.

There are also some separate areas outside of Hastings worth a look, such as Fairlight, St. Leonards-On-Sea, and Bexhill-On-Sea.

Hastings Old Town

Average Property Prices in Hastings Old Town

The average property price in this area is £323,476.

Average Rental Yield in Hastings Old Town

The average rental yield in this area is 3.53%.

Average Property Prices in Blacklands

The average property price in this area is £268,558

Average Rental Yield in Blacklands

The average rental yield in this area is 4.41%.

Average Property Prices in Bexhill-On-Sea

The average property price in this area is £350,155.

Average Rental Yield in Bexhill-On-Sea

The average rental yield in this area is 3.55%.

(Average property prices were taken from Rightmove in late 2023, and the gross rental yield estimates were calculated with figures from housesforsaletorent.co.uk in the same period)

What is the Best Area of Hastings to Invest in?

Overall, rental yields in Hastings are not that high, and it may be hard to find a good property deal. Suburbs north of central Hastings, such as Blacklands, tend to be more affordable than other locations, making this an area with good potential.

Property in Fairlight is much more expensive than in Hastings, so rental yields can be disappointing. But this nearby village is popular for short-term lets, so it’s an option worth exploring for investors interested in the area.

Potential for Short Lets

The short-term letting sector in Hastings has been growing rapidly as websites like Airbnb have had a massive impact on the property industry, making it easier to manage and advertise a holiday letting rental property.

Hastings is a popular choice for staycations, offering visitors beaches and historical attractions in a quaint town setting packed with artsy shops and cafes.

Engaging with Airbnb property investment can sometimes result in a higher return on investment than a standard residential tenancy. If prices are adjusted to reflect seasonal popularity and the location is carefully selected, investors can make big returns on holiday lets.

Regeneration

Some parts of Hastings have had a reputation for being in decline in the past, but the local council are revamping areas across the town through some sizable regeneration programmes.

The Hastings Town Deal is an ambitious regeneration plan that was awarded £24.3 million through the Government’s town fund, giving Hastings a much-needed investment boost. The scheme involves various projects aiming to give the town centre a full facelift and improve town attractions such as Hastings Castle and the Creative Quarter.

With increased levels of regeneration typically comes higher levels of interest from private developers. Considering the plans for Hastings, this could lead to more buy-to-let opportunities in the area.

For the reasons listed above, new-build properties usually inspire significant interest from tenants and investors alike due to their advantages over standard residential properties available on the market. However, the major drawback to this strategy is the higher price point that can come alongside.

One way to reduce this fee is through off-plan property investment – essentially purchasing a property while it’s still in the construction phase of development. This means that investors can buy a property at a reduced rate and have the option of paying their fees in stages rather than paying the entire price from the onset.