28th August 2025

The Birmingham Monopoly Board with Real House Prices 2025

Monopoly has long been a family favourite for games night, loved for its competitive spirit, and perhaps equally remembered for the occasional feuds it starts at the table. At its core though, buying these fake properties isn’t too dissimilar from buying a real home. After all, don’t both pursuits call for  strategic thinking, knowing when to buy, what to hold, and when to take a chance? Not to mention that, in both cases, timing, knowledge, and a touch of luck can make all the difference.

We see many variations of the game, from TV show editions to local city editions, and in this blog, we’re taking that idea one step further by exploring the Birmingham version of the classic board game and comparing it with today’s housing market. From city-centre streets to landmark locations, we’ll look at how the board’s familiar spaces line up with average property prices in 2025. 

Dominion Court

Board Price → £60

2025 Average Sold Price  → £234,750

Bannerley Road

Board Price → £60

2025 Average Sold Price → £171,833

Dominion Court and Bannerley Road may be the “cheapest” properties on the Birmingham Monopoly board, and, in the brown section of the board, reality isn’t too dissimilar. House prices have seemed to decrease in these areas in recent years, with Bannerly Road now holding an average sale price of £171,833 which, whilst still fairly high for ‘cheap’ properties, is still more affordable than other areas of the board. 

The reason why these prices still remain relatively high despite some decreases in average sold price lies in the types of properties you’ll find there. Dominion Court, situated close to the centre of Solihull, which is a well-connected market town just a short commute from Birmingham, is made up of modern office spaces on Station Road. Bannerley Road, meanwhile, is home to industrial sites such as factories and warehouses. These larger, purpose-built commercial properties naturally carry a higher price tag than smaller residential homes, explaining why they sit above Birmingham’s average.

The NEC

Board Price → £100

2025 Average Sold Price → £247,500

Victoria Square

Board Price → £100

2025 Average Sold Price → £206,000

Centenary Square

Board Price → £120

2025 Average Sold Price → £277,334

The light blue properties of the board consist of notable areas such as The NEC, Victoria Square, and Centenary Square, in the game they may sit at the lower end of the Monopoly board, but in real life their surrounding areas have seen strong growth in average sold prices in 2025.

Take The NEC (National Exhibition Centre), for example. Since opening in 1976, it has been Birmingham’s flagship events venue, attracting shows, exhibitions, and conferences from across the globe. While the NEC itself isn’t residential, we’ve looked at the sold property prices in the immediate area to get a sense of local property values. Here, prices have risen sharply in recent years, reflecting the area’s excellent transport links and appeal to commuters.

Victoria Square and Centenary Square present a similar challenge, as pedestrianised landmarks, they don’t have homes of their own to measure. Instead, we’ve turned to their shared postcode, B1. Once averaging under £200,000 just a couple of years ago, B1 has now climbed considerably, showing how demand for city centre living continues to push prices upward. These rising figures highlight just how quickly Birmingham’s housing market is evolving, even in areas where residential property is limited.

Edgbaston

Board Price → £140

2025 Average Sold Price → £392,839

NEC Arena (Resorts World Arena)

Board Price → £140

2025 Average Sold Price → £247,500

Villa Park

Board Price → £160

2025 Average Sold Price → £157,833

Home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Edgbaston sits just outside Birmingham’s city centre and continues to be one of the most desirable (and expensive) locations on the Birmingham Monopoly board. Over the past year, properties in the B15 postcode achieved an overall average price of £392,839. However, it should also be noted that this varies greatly by property type, with flats selling for an average of £215,156 all the while detached properties were averaging £1,012,573. With such variety, Edgbaston offers opportunities for a wide range of buyers, from mid-range purchasers to those looking for luxury family homes.

It’s not just the range of property prices themselves that add to the area’s appeal. The reason why they’re so high is because of the appeal of local highlights, including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Priory Club, the historic Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society, and even a Michelin-starred restaurant, all of which make this area an attractive choice.

The other pink Monopoly properties are equally recognisable. The NEC Arena (now the Resorts World Arena) remains a major venue for concerts and live events, sharing its location with the NEC at Marston Green. And of course, Villa Park, home to Aston Villa Football Club, is one of the city’s most famous sporting landmarks.

New Bull Ring

Board Price → £180

2025 Average Sold Price → £180,596

Halesowen

Board Price → £180

2025 Average Sold Price → £292,223

Cannon Street

Board Price → £200

2025 Average Sold Price → £219,875

The orange properties on the Birmingham Monopoly board consist of the Bull Ring, Cannon Street, and Halesowen. Each bringing something different to the table, from bustling retail hubs to suburban living, and their property prices reflect that diversity.

The Bull Ring, sitting in the heart of the city with its B5 postcode, is no longer the priciest of the three, with average sold prices over the last year sitting below £200,000. Halesowen takes the top spot with price increases meaning that the average sold price sits closer to £300,000. Its greenbelt setting and excellent access to the M5 make it especially appealing to commuters who want a balance between town and country. Lastly, Cannon Street moves into the mid-range spot, with prices topping £200,000.

Atherstone

Board Price → £220

2025 Average Sold Price → £279,083

Union Street

Board Price → £220

2025 Average Sold Price → £227,481

Coventry Road

Board Price → £240

2025 Average Sold Price → £256,710

Stepping into more residential territory, the red property of Atherstone (which technically has a Warwickshire postcode and not a Birmingham one!) offers a broad mix of homes across different sizes, styles, and price points. This makes Atherstone an attractive option for buyers looking for value without compromising on location.

The other two red properties bring us closer to Birmingham’s bustling centre. Union Street, a well-known shopping destination, sees plenty of footfall but limited residential opportunities. Coventry Road, by contrast, is a key route between the city centre and Birmingham Airport and offers a stronger housing market. 

Broad Street

Board Price → £260

2025 Average Sold Price → £269,232

Hagley Road

Board Price → £260

2025 Average Sold Price → £295,655

New Street

Board Price → £280

2025 Average Sold Price → £227,481

Known more for their commercial pull than residential appeal, the yellow properties of Broad Street, Hagley Road, and New Street each bring something different to Birmingham’s Monopoly board and each sits at a different price point.

Broad Street is one of the city’s best-known nightlife spots. It’s lined with bars, clubs, and restaurants, but it also offers modern apartments and commercial spaces that are highly sought after by investors targeting students and young professionals.

Hagley Road, which has seen more fluctuation in values over the years, has a mix of housing and easy links into the city that make it a location with strong potential for those seeking affordability.

Lastly, New Street is one of Birmingham’s busiest shopping destinations, its central location and retail prestige help maintain a solid property market, with average sale prices currently standing at £227,481.

Printing House Street

Board Price → £300

2025 Average Sold Price → £227,481

Newhall Street

Board Price → £300

2025 Average Sold Price → £249,003

Waterloo Street

Board Price → £320

2025 Average Sold Price → £211,000

Staying in the city centre, the red Birmingham Monopoly properties of Printing House Street, Newhall Street, and Waterloo Street are all popular with investors seeking well-located commercial and mixed-use spaces.

Printing House Street has become known for its stylishly refurbished working and living spaces, housed within what was once the historic Post & Mail Building. Nearby, Newhall Street offers a mix of offices and flats in a prime central location, making it highly attractive for both businesses and residents.

Waterloo Street, by contrast, has a more traditional character and is one of the city’s oldest thoroughfares. Its beautiful historic architecture is complemented by modern office spaces, but the street is perhaps best known for its banks, hotels, and popular restaurants, combining heritage charm with ongoing commercial demand.

Bickenhill

Board Price → £350

2025 Average Sold Price → £367,337

Hurst Street

Board Price → £400

2025 Average Sold Price → £287,826

The priciest properties on the Birmingham Monopoly board, but not necessarily in real life, are Bickenhill and Hurst Street. Bickenhill, with an average sold price of £367,337 lives up to its reputation as a desirable village, conveniently located near Birmingham Airport, Marston Green, and the city itself. While its dark blue counterpart commands the highest game-board price, Bickenhill properties remain more expensive than those on Hurst Street.

Hurst Street takes second place in our research, with an average sale price of £287,826. Its central location in Birmingham’s iconic Gay Village makes it highly sought after, but many of the properties here are smaller first-floor commercial units or flats, which helps explain why prices sit below those of Bickenhill, despite its prime city-centre position.

Passing Go

Board Price → £200

Average West Midlands Salary → £34,938

When ‘passing go’ in most versions of Monopoly (the Birmingham edition included), you can expect to pick up £200 with which to purchase your properties as you make your way around the board. In the real world, however, we’ve substituted this standard income with the average salary of the area, which in the case of Birmingham, and the wider West Midlands, is £34,938. A small increase from the previous year which was just over £31,000. This does not account for taxes or other payments that must be paid in real life, but on the Monopoly board, this really comes down to the luck of the dice. 

When taxes (income tax and national insurance) are included in the equation as an estimate, using the government calculator, the average salary is brought down to £28,676.76 a year. 

Utility Costs

In Monopoly, landing on the Electric Company or Water Works will cost you, but what the price is depends on the roll of your dice. If a player owns one utility, you pay 4x whatever you rolled on the dice, if a player owns both, is 10x the dice roll. Of course, if nobody owns it, you can buy it. But in the real world, utility can be just as complex and considerably higher than what you’d pay in the game.

For a typical Birmingham household, annual energy and water costs are:

Gas & Electricity: Approximately £1,718.95 per year for a medium-sized home (2–3 bedrooms). 

Water: Around £603 annually, which is a 26% increase from the previous year. 

So, if you were to “land” on these utilities in real life, you’d be looking at an annual combined cost of about £2,321.95, a far cry from the maximum payment (£120) you’d pay in the game.

Find auction properties in Birmingham

Our auctioneers and property experts at SDL Property Auctions are here to make the process of purchasing by auction simple, fast and hassle-free. With a wide range of properties available, you’ll be able to live in a property that suits your needs, in an ‘area’ of the monopoly board that suits you. If you’re ready to take the leap, browse the range of lots we have available in Birmingham in our property auctions.