The 'charming' town with unique claim to fame that has Northern Ireland's fastest-rising house prices

The areas of Northern Ireland with the fastest-rising house prices have been revealed, and Cookstown tops the list.

House prices there soared by 9.2% during the three months ending in September 2025, according to Ulster University’s latest Quarterly House Price Index.

That was significantly more than in Craigavon Urban Area (8%), Newry (7.3%) and Causeway Coast (6.5%) housing market areas, which saw the next highest increases in property values.

To many people, Cookstown is best known for its main street, which is the longest and one of the widest in Northern Ireland, and is notoriously prone to traffic jams.

But anyone who takes the time to stop, rather than just passing through, will find much to appreciate, according to those who live there.

One person called it a ‘great place to live’, blessed with excellent restaurants, cafes and pubs, a good leisure centre, a fantastic golf course and ‘very good’ schools. Another person called it a ‘grand place to hang one’s hat’.

Town & Village Properties says Cookstown’s combination of historical sites, natural beauty and modern amenities make it a ‘unique and charming place to live or visit’.

Highlights include the Belfast House pub, said to serve one of the best pints of Guinness anywhere, the popular Ritz cinema, and the ‘hidden gem’ Vanilla Records store above an ice cream parlour.

Below are the areas of Northern Ireland with the fastest-rising house prices, listed in reverse order.

For more Northern Ireland property news, check out our list of the cheapest places to rent, which are also among the UK’s happiest.