Prices for larger homes have risen at twice the rate of flats during the pandemic, with the detached houses topping £425,000, according to Halifax.

The average cost of a detached home in the UK hit £425,177 in December 2021, an increase of around 17%, or £60,556, says data from the Halifax House Price Index and IHS Markit.

This compares to an increase of around 9% for a typical flat since March 2020, with prices rising by £13,325 up to an average of £158,992.

Terraced houses rose by £27,715, or 15%, to an average of £213,798, while semi-detached properties increased by £36,841, also 15%, to an average of £280,090, over the same period.

The report adds that one of the biggest impacts of the pandemic on the property market has been the widening of the gaps between each type of home.

Flat owners on average will now pay an extra £54,806 to upsize into a typical terraced house, compared to £40,416 in March 2020.

Those in a terraced property need a further £66,292 to own a semi-detached home, compared to £57,166 in March 2020.

Home movers hoping to switch from a semi-detached to a detached house need an additional £145,087, compared to £121,371 in March 2020.

The survey says a similar pattern has emerged across the regions, with detached house prices typically growing by more than the average.

Wales and the North West saw the greatest increase in detached home prices, rising by 24.4% and 21.9%, respectively.

The most expensive detached homes are in London, at an average of £910,568, where their rate of increase, 12.4%, was almost double the average of all property types in the capital.

Halifax managing director Russell Galley says: “Record numbers of moves have been taking place throughout the pandemic, with the demand for detached homes now greater than for any other property type, meaning the competition for those looking to buy an often larger property is fierce.

“As employers began to crystalise longer-term plans for home and hybrid working, buyers have been able to consider homes further afield as the need to commute falls away, with properties previously considered too remote now giving families extras like garden rooms and home offices.

“This trend means Wales, with its beautiful countryside and lower relative property prices, saw the strongest growth in detached homes over the past two years.”