At £467,000, Cambridge sits just below Oxford as one of the most expensive cities in this list, close to the £500,000 first-time-buyer relief ceiling. Its high-value property market, including research-sector and investment demand, means limited-company and non-resident purchase rules are more frequently relevant than in lower-priced cities.
Average price source: ONS UK House Price Index, May 2026 (provisional).
England/NI SDLT Bands 2026
| Band | Standard rate | First-time buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | 0% | 0% (up to £300k) |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% | 0% (up to £300k) |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% | 5% (from £300k to £500k, no relief above) |
| £925,001 – £1.5m | 10% | 10% |
| Above £1.5m | 12% | 12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the price, buyer type and region. Cambridge's average property price is £467,000 (ONS UK House Price Index, May 2026 (provisional)) — enter your own price above for an exact SDLT figure.
Yes — at £467,000 (ONS, May 2026 provisional), a Cambridge purchase sits close to the £500,000 ceiling for first-time-buyer relief, and the city's research-sector and investment demand mean the limited-company purchase rules (flat 15% above £500,000) are a more realistic consideration here than in more affordable cities.
No — SDLT bands are set nationally (England / NI (SDLT)), not by city. Cambridge doesn't have its own rates; what varies locally is the average property price, which changes how much tax a typical purchase attracts.