Rising house prices are changing the face of Auckland's once-affordable neighbourhoods

OneRoof data shows the average value of property in Avondale's jumped from 750-thousand dollars five years ago, to one-million-130-thousand last month.

In South Auckland - areas like Papatoetoe, Mangere and Otahuhu are nearing the million-dollar price bracket - up from around 580 to 610-thousand dollars.

Editor Owen Vaughan says it impacts who can live in the area, and the nature of the suburb.

He says Ponsonby's the perfect example, changing from working class to yuppie central in just 20 years.