'Magical': The Northern Ireland areas where house prices have risen fastest, including 'best' place to live

The latest property statistics show the areas across Northern Ireland where the cost of an average home has risen fastest during the five years to the end of 2025.

In Newry, Mourne and County Down, the average house price soared by 46.7% during that period, to £218,595.

It is one of eight areas of Northern Ireland where house prices have increased by at least 40% in the last five years, according to the latest NI House Price Index.

Newry, Mourne and Down is home to several of Northern Ireland’s most desirable locations.

They include the beautiful coastal village of Dundrum, which in 2025 was named by the Sunday Times as the best place to live in Northern Ireland.

Other popular places to live in the area include the charming town of Warrenpoint and nearby Rostrevor, picturesque Newcastle, and Newry, which is increasingly popular with hybrid workers commuting to either Belfast or Dublin.

With its stunning beaches, thriving food and drink scene, and the Mourne Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop, the region has been described as one of the UK’s most ‘magical’.

Below are the areas of Northern Ireland where average house prices rose by the greatest percentage between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the NI House Price Index. They are listed in reverse order, from smallest to biggest increase.

Where is your home town, village or city on the list, and where do you think is the best place to live in Northern Ireland?

For more Northern Ireland property news, check out our round-up of the postcodes with the most expensive homes per square metre.