Houses prices in Norfolk and Waveney have gone up by as much as £190,000 in just 20 years, figures have revealed.
The cheapest average house price in the region, according to the latest figures from the UK House Price Index, is in Great Yarmouth - but a property there will still set you back on average £156,286.
In 1996, the average price in the district was just £41,323.
If property prices were in line with inflation, the average house in Great Yarmouth now should be just £71,183.
This trend is repeated across the region, with the biggest rise coming in Broadland.
In 1996 the average house price in the area was £55,096 but now the price has jumped to £245,822 - a rise of more than £190,000.
Community Action Norfolk, an independent charity, predominately helps people in rural areas of Norfolk with housing needs.
Its chief executive, Jonathan Clemo, said the trend of house prices rising at a much higher rates than inflation is very worrying.
'The main issue for people now is the lack of affordable housing,' he said.
'What this trend is illustrating is that 20 years ago, it was the poorer people who couldn't get on the property ladder - but now what we are seeing is that people with good jobs and good incomes are struggling to buy, which is the real change.
'And the statistic I find most concerning is that houses in some areas are earning more each year than people on an average salary, with the price of homes going up and up but wages staying the same.'
Mr Clemo added that building more affordable homes and a change in attitudes to renting are just two of things that need to happen to help people get on the property ladder.
House prices in Norwich have risen by £151,532 in the last 20 years with average property price in the city now standing at £191,366.
It comes as the NR6 post code, which is partly under Broadland District Council control, was voted as the second most desirable place to live in England.
In reaction to the study Hellesdon Parish Council chairman Shelagh Gurney said she was worried the accolade would push house prices up even further.
She said: 'As soon as a community becomes desirable to live in for all the right reasons, housing prices escalate and consequently affect the opportunity for first-time home buyers to afford to live in Hellesdon.'
Five homes for sale in Norfolk in 1996 for under £50,000
• Pulham Market - For just £21,950 you could get the keys to a one-bed period property, complete with a fitted kitchen and parking spaces.
• Norwich - £37,000 would get you a two-bedroom terrace house with a large dining area, a ground floor bathroom and off-street parking.
• Attleborough - A three-bedroom detached bungalow could have been yours for just £49,950.
• Poringland - A 1950s bungalow would have set you back £39,950 complete with two bedrooms, a garage and a garden.
• Lakenham - £38,500 would have got you a three-bedroom semi-detached house complete with parking.
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