The UK and USA have long had a lot in common, including a free market, democracy, many cultural phenomena, and more.
As Oscar Wilde put it:
“We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.”
But, once you scratch beneath the surface, interesting differences emerge.
One of the best examples is the housing market in each country, which have very different rules, cultures, and processes.
If you’ve ever watched Netflix shows like Selling Sunset or Million Dollar Listing, then you’ll probably already be aware of some of these.
These range from the average size homes, to the way customers and estate agents interact, and much more.
After hearing from experts who’ve lived on both sides of the Atlantic, we’ve created a deep dive on the biggest differences between UK and US property markets.
Does size matter? Well, let’s ask the Americans!
If you’re bothered about the size of your property, then there’s a clear winner in the UK vs USA battle…
America wins hands-down!
The average home in the UK is a modest 818 square feet. Meanwhile, in the US, a typical property is an impressive 2,164 square feet (nearly three times larger).
Interestingly, there was once a time where the UK average property size was 1,590 square feet.
But this has steadily dropped over the decades, due in part to higher demand, limited land space, and rising prices in the cities.
Why everything is bigger in Texas (/the US)
One explanation for the far greater living space in the US is that nearly 85% of houses in the country are detached.
As you’d expect, this is due to there being far more land available all over the country. Meanwhile, in the UK, only 20% of houses are detached.
For Brits, especially those living in London, the idea of owning a detached home with a driveway can feel like winning the lottery.
For Americans, it’s the norm.
Property features: from basements to conservatories
With more space in the USA, you also find that many ‘luxurious’ amenities are commonplace.
For example, in the UK, the following are usually only found in the most expensive homes:
- Walk-in wardrobes
- Utility rooms
- Basements.
But in the United States, all of these are found in a far higher percentage of homes.
A traditional edge
In the US, timber frames clad with wood or vinyl are standard.
In the UK, it’s all about brick and stone – materials that were abundant here historically.
This means that American homes are usually built more quickly, but British ones are more likely to stand the test of time (hence our abundance of historic and listed properties!).
Mild vs wild weather
Heating is another major difference. Americans care deeply about this, due to the extreme weather conditions in all parts of the US.
And air conditioning is present in every house, while less than 5% of UK properties have this.
It makes sense: when summers hit 35°C in Texas, air con is a necessity, not a luxury.
In Britain, where a 28°C heatwave causes national panic, most people just fling open a window.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms tell their own story. Americans think nothing of plug sockets next to the sink, while in Britain it’s forbidden by building regulators.
The main exception in the UK is a shaver socket – but even these are quite outdated.
Other quirks
Then there are the little cultural quirks. In the UK, the washing machine is normally found in the kitchen. In the US, it belongs in its own utility room.
Brits love conservatories, while Americans prefer basements. Each feature is rare in the opposing country.
And mail drops through the front door in Britain – while in the US, you walk to a box at the end of the drive.
“Realtors” vs “Estate Agents” – are they the same thing?
Not everyone loves estate agents, but they can make your life much easier when moving house.
In the United States, these professionals are called ‘realtors’ – but is that name change the only difference?
No, it’s not!
Fees & tasks
In the UK, the average commission is between 1% and 3%. In the US, it’s a chunky 5% to 6%.
Buyers in the United Kingdom don’t have their own estate agent. They liaise with the seller’s estate agent and do all the price negotiation on their own.
This is not the case in the USA, where every buyer has a designated realtor who handles negotiations, plus searching for the perfect property.
These realtors take a percentage when the house transaction completes – making the entire process even pricier.
Until very recently, sellers in the US were expected to cover the commission of both their own agent and the buyer’s agent.
New rules introduced in 2024 mean this is no longer the case. Buyers now pay their own representative, although the impact on fees remains to be seen.
Brands vs agents
When you choose your estate agent in the UK, it’s typically the company you value. Brands like Hamptons, Connells, and Savills are known all over the country.
So, it’s arely the individual estate agent you value, but the company’s reputation and network of buyers.
This is not the case in the United States, where each realtor is essentially self-employed, building a standalone personal brand.
This usually translates into more working hours, since US realtors are like independent contractors.
The legal landscape: Uniform vs patchwork
Qualifying criteria
Realtors in the US must jump through more hoops before practicing than their British counterparts. Every agent must:
- Work under a licensed broker
- Pass exams
- Maintain an ongoing education to keep practicing.
In the UK, it’s far more laid-back. Almost anyone can walk into a high street estate agent and start selling homes! (However, estate agents are regulated.)
Country-wide vs state by state
Property law and relatively uniform across England, with only small variations in Scotland and Wales.
Once you know the basics, the rules are predictable.
In the United States, it’s a completely different story. Each state has its own set of laws, tax codes, and regulations.
This means realtors need to be licensed in each state they practice in. What’s normal in California could be wildly different in Texas or New York.
It makes investing in US real estate far more complicated, particularly if you’re trying to build a portfolio across multiple states.
And it’s especially difficult for realtors working in one of the several ‘twin cities’ (a city divided between two states) divided across the US. They will need licenses for both parts of the city if they want to work all across it.
(The UK does have some towns and cities divided by counties, but this has no impact on estate agents.)
Tax rates and tax systems
Taxes are one of the most notable differences between the UK and US.
In general, citizens in the UK pay more tax and adhere to a single, unified system (with differences in some areas for different parts of the country, such as council tax).
In the US, there is a two-tiered system of state and federal tax. The former can vary widely, and property taxes are sometimes only part of the picture.
For example, Texas is famous for having low taxes (including no income tax), but its property taxes are relatively high (in the nation’s top 10).
Experts argue that upward mobility is easier in the USA, because most people are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. This is a far bigger concern for UK homeowners.
In both cases, issues around taxes will have different (and changing) impacts on national and local property markets and estate agents and realtors’ work.
Property sale processes
And then there’s the buying process itself. Open houses – the stuff of TV shows – are standard in the USA.
You’ll rarely find a property listed on the market without one of these taking place!
Meanwhile, in the UK, viewings tend to be booked one-on-one.
Anecdotedly, open houses appear to be becoming more popular, but they are still a long way off regular house viewings.
Lifestyle, expectations, and vocabulary!
Public transport and parking
Priorities of buyers in the UK and US vary more than you might expect.
To start with, public transport is uncommon in the United States, outside of major cities (which, even then, are lacking). Cars are king.
This explains why most US homes come with a garage and ample driveway space.
In the UK, public transport is seen as the ‘holy grail’. Street parking is a headache many city-dwellers live with daily, too.
Much more emphasis is placed on parking options in the UK for this reason. A place to keep your car is valuable, because most places don’t have driveways!
The house of God
Church is a huge part of small-town American life. When you’re outside the big cities, many homeowners want to live close to one. It’s seen as the hub of their local community.
The UK, by contrast, is a significantly less religious country. Some surveys suggest only around 5% of the population regularly attending church (vs. around 32% in the US).
American English vs English English
British and American English are separated by more than just an accent.
Our vocabularies differ in general and when it comes to property-related terms. Here are just a few examples:
- Brits talk about ‘property’ while Americans say ‘real estate’
- The British live in ‘flats’ while the Americans are in ‘apartments’ or ‘condos’
- What the UK calls an house of mulriple occupancy (HMO), the US calls a ‘multi-unit’
- The British say ‘toilet’ or ‘loo’ for what Americans call ‘bathroom’ or ‘restroom’
- Brits have ‘front gardens’, which Americans call ‘front laws’
- The UK has ‘granny annexes’, which in the US are accessory dwelling units (ADU).
Summary and last thoughts
The American housing market is bigger, brasher, and more heavily regulated. Homes are larger, agents are pricier, and the legal framework varies wildly from state to state.
The UK, meanwhile, has a more modest housing stock.
There’s less regulation around estate agents, and the goal for all homeowners is to squeeze practicality out of small spaces.
This need for creative, space-saving solutions is only going to get more pronounced.
Which market is ‘better’?
That depends on what you value.
If you dream of a walk-in wardrobe and a garage that fits two SUVs, the US is your winner.
If you prefer charming period terraces, winding streets, and a housing market where conservatories are the norm, the UK will always have the edge.
At the end of the day, both nations have property markets shaped by their geography, weather, history, and culture.
Naturally, though, each country likes to compare itself to the other and argue that it has the upper hand!
