The best commuter towns in the UK

Working in the city, but priced out of the postcode when it comes to property?

With high house prices across the UK’s major cities, buying a home in the city you love just isn’t a reality for many.

So we’ve found the best commuter towns in the UK, where low house prices meet fast train connections. Turns out you can have the best of both worlds.

Skip to:

• Birmingham

• Bristol

• Cardiff

• Edinburgh

• Leeds

• London

• Newcastle

• Nottingham

Birmingham has it all: history and culture, world class shopping and dining, great educational facilities and a thriving business culture. But its house prices are also high compared to the rest of the West Midlands, averaging £230,330.

For those looking to the surrounding towns for better value, Stoke-on-Trent’s average home costs just £171,700 and is only 47 minutes’ train ride away. 

In Tipton, you’ll pay a little more (£197,200 on average), but your commute drops to just 17 minutes, while Bilston gives you an 18-minute commute with a £198,000 average house price.

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This eco-conscious South West city is always topping the ‘most liveable’ lists, with its diverse social scene, a penchant for independent business and way more than a touch of creativity. But with an average home value of £379,800, Bristol is one of the most expensive cities to buy a house in the UK.

Head to nearby towns in the South West or Wales and you can make a significant saving. Look to Newport for an average £214,700 property value, only 18 minutes on the train from Bristol.

Weston-Super-Mare and Bridgwater are popular options with commuters too, both offering train journeys of under 30 minutes to Bristol - with house prices that are more than £100,000 cheaper.

Cardiff has all the energy, attractions and convenience that only a capital city can offer. But the surrounding towns and valleys put all that within easy reach, along with much more affordable homes than Cardiff’s average of £280,760.

In spots like New Tredegar (57 mins by train), Mountain Ash (49 mins) and Pentre (56 mins), house prices sit around £125,000 - less than half the price of buying a home in Cardiff.

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A city filled with striking architecture, endless eateries and captivating culture stops, Edinburgh is globally renowned as a great place to live and visit.

The average property value in Scotland’s capital city is £287,110, putting Edinburgh out of reach for many home-hunters.

But for commuters, you can find much more affordable homes in surrounding North Lanarkshire towns.

Have a look in Wishaw for property prices averaging £111,670 and a train journey of 45 minutes to Edinburgh. Shotts is a little closer at 33 minutes, with an average home value of £114,080, while Airdrie is another good option with house prices sitting at £118,680.

Eastview development by Bellway, Wishaw: Prices from £284,995

Leeds is a hugely popular city, with its vibrant arts scene, buzzing university culture and good employment opportunities drawing people from all walks of life. But with an average house price of £232,730, you can get a lot more for your money in the surrounding towns.

Bradford is our top pick with an average house price of £155,860 and a commute time to Leeds of just 17 minutes. Dewsbury is just an 11-minute train ride away with houses averaging £163,550, while Rotherham is another option with an average house price of £162,110.

Poppy Fields development by Redrow, Rotherham: Prices from £244,000

London is a truly world-class city, celebrated for its vibrant culture, endless amenities and job opportunities. But with an average home value of £588,300 buying a home in London is out of reach for many.

This pricing pressure makes commuter towns near London a popular alternative, with many choosing to trade a short journey for a significant saving. You can save up to £350,000 by moving within an hour’s commute of London, meaning you’d need a 10% deposit of around £24,000 - rather than £60,000.

Hampton Woods by Persimmon Homes, Peterborough: Prices from £250,000

Newcastle is known for its rich history, modern lifestyle, bustling nightlife and friendly Geordie spirit, with homes averaging £189,880.

Shildon is the most affordable commuter town for Newcastle, with an average price of £73,800 while still being within an hour’s train journey.

Seaham puts you within 30 minutes of the action with property prices £70,000 cheaper than in Newcastle.

Nottingham is a hugely popular city for families, professionals and students alike, blending rich culture, vibrant nightlife and a distinctive community atmosphere in the heart of the East Midlands.

Nottingham's average home value is £227,330, but a commute of 28 minutes from Mansfield will get you a home nearby for around £50,000 less.

Sutton-in-Ashfield and Alfreton are good options too, both taking around 20 minutes from Nottingham on the train with property prices up to £50,000 cheaper on average.

This article uses our home value estimates to find the average house prices in postal towns and the fastest rail services from trainline.co.uk from May 2025.

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