With more employees heading back into the office commuting is once again shaping homebuying decisions and mortgage advisers may see growing demand from borrowers looking to balance affordability with manageable travel times.

Zoopla’s latest analysis highlights the UK’s cheapest commuter towns, where homebuyers can save up to 61% compared with city-centre prices while keeping journeys to under an hour.

The research is particularly timely as affordability pressures continue to dominate conversations with clients.

For London, where the average property value now sits at £588,300, buyers priced out of the capital are increasingly looking further afield.

Towns such as Peterborough (£238,800), Wellingborough (£245,400) and Kettering (£261,500) all provide rail links into King’s Cross or St Pancras in under an hour.

South of the capital, Chatham (£279,200) and Luton (£305,700) also offer attractive combinations of price and connectivity, with fast trains to multiple London stations.

SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS

Significant savings are also available in regional markets. Shildon, County Durham, offers a 61% discount compared with Newcastle, with average values of just £73,800 and a 55-minute commute.

In South Wales, New Tredegar provides similar savings versus Cardiff, while in Scotland, Wishaw and Shotts deliver 60%+ discounts compared with Edinburgh.

Shorter but still meaningful options exist too: Newport offers a 43% saving versus Bristol with an 18-minute commute, while Bradford and Dewsbury deliver 30%+ discounts for Leeds commuters.

AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES

Daniel Copley, Consumer Expert at Zoopla, said: “With affordability becoming an increasingly important consideration for home buyers, many are having to widen their search area and need help to understand their options.

“Our analysis provides a useful guide to some of the most affordable commuting hotspots that offer the best of both worlds. The savings on offer are substantial, especially for those commuting into major regional cities like Newcastle and Cardiff, where buying a home just an hour outside of the city can save you a massive 61%.

 “Whilst it’s important to consider the cost of commuting vs the savings, the data demonstrates that for those with the flexibility to move further afield, a shorter commute doesn’t always have to come with a premium price tag.”