House prices across the UK have increased by an average of 74% over the last 20 years from £113,900 to £268,200, with house price to earnings ratios staying broadly in line at 6.42, Zoopla reveals.

However, the latest data found that house price increases vary significantly across some regions, making some areas unaffordable for the 52% of Brits who say that they would consider a move back to their hometown.

While London has seen house price increases of 119% over the last 20 years, house prices in the South East and Eastern England have also registered a significant jump, increasing by 87% in both regions.

House price to earnings ratios have also increased in both regions, from 7.8 to 8.6 in the South East and 7.1 to 7.7 in Eastern England.

Within the South East, the town of Elmbridge in Surrey has seen the biggest average increase in house prices at 110% over the last two decades, up from £338,800 to £712,700.

Southampton in Hampshire registered the lowest average price rises in the region over the last 20 years, up 63% from £138,500 to £225,500.

In Eastern England, average house prices in St Albans have seen the most significant increase in the region since 2005, up from £298,600 to £622,100, representing a 108% rise.

Meanwhile, Great Yarmouth has seen the lowest growth in average house price increases in the region over the last 20 years, up 77% from £105.900 to £187,700.

Average house prices in the North East have increased by 39%, the smallest increase across all regions, while the house price to earnings ratios have improved the most in the region compared to the rest of the UK, falling from 5.7 to 4 over the last 20 years.

Sunderland has registered the lowest average house price increases in the region from £101,600 to £124,000, a 22% rise.

Elsewhere, affordability has also improved in the North West and Yorkshire, with house price to earnings ratios falling from 6 to 5.1 in the North West and 5.7 to 5 in Yorkshire.

In Blackpool, a popular seaside resort on the North West coast, average house prices have increased by just 26%, with homes costing £124.300, up from £98,400 in 2005.

Zoopla consumer expert Daniel Copley says: “Our latest analysis certainly brings to light the profound impact that two decades of house price growth has had on the dream of ‘returning home’. UK house prices have soared by 74 per cent since 2005, making that nostalgic return financially unattainable for many, especially in hotspots in the South East and Eastern England.”

“However, the picture is far from uniform across the UK. Our data shows that while some areas have seen dramatic increases, house prices have risen slowly, in line with incomes in northern regions. This means that for some, the dream of returning to their roots might be much more attainable than they think.”

Propertymark head of policy and campaigns Timothy Douglas adds: “Investment in rejuvenating places up and down the country is welcome and ensures that people live, work and want to move into vibrant communities.”

“Propertymark also welcomes additional funding for affordable and social homes as we know this will help meet the UK Government’s ambitious housing target and have the knock-on effect of bringing down the cost of renting in the private rented sector.”

“Planning reforms must also work alongside a housing strategy which is much anticipated to be published by the UK Government to ensure we are building the right homes in the right places, and we can meet housing needs up and down the country.”

In May, Zoopla revealed the housing market is seeing a renewed increase in sales, with the level of sales agreed in May reaching the highest in four years.