The daily commute is making a comeback with new research from Zoopla revealing that that four out of 10 (39%) employees have returned to the office full-time with three quarters (76%) commuting at least three days a week.
Five years after the pandemic disrupted working patterns for those who moved further afield during lockdowns this shift is forcing a fresh look at housing options closer to major employment hubs.
Zoopla has analysed the most affordable commuter towns across the UK, identifying locations where buyers can save up to 61% compared with city-centre prices, while keeping travel times to under an hour.
The findings come as affordability pressures continue to weigh on households, particularly in and around London.
OUT OF REACH
With an average property price of £588,300, the capital remains out of reach for many. But buyers prepared to look outside London can cut purchase costs by an average of 56%, according to Zoopla.
Peterborough, with average home values of £238,800 and a 50-minute train journey to King’s Cross, is one of the cheapest options.
Wellingborough (£245,400) and Kettering (£261,500) also offer good value, with commute times of under an hour to St Pancras.
COST-EFFECTIVE
South of London, Chatham has emerged as a cost-effective choice, with average property prices of £279,200 and multiple rail links into the capital in around 40–44 minutes. Luton, where homes average £305,700, provides similar flexibility, offering fast services into London Bridge in under 50 minutes.
Beyond the capital, the biggest percentage savings are to be found around Newcastle, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
Buyers in Shildon, County Durham, can expect to pay just £73,800 – a 61% discount on Newcastle’s city average of £189,880 – with a commute of 55 minutes.
In South Wales, New Tredegar offers a 61% saving compared with Cardiff, with homes at £108,600 and travel times of just under an hour. In Scotland, Wishaw and Shotts offer discounts of 61% and 60% respectively versus Edinburgh’s £287,110 average.
Other hotspots combine affordability with speed. Newport offers a 43% saving compared with Bristol, with average house prices of £214,700 and an 18-minute train journey. Around Leeds, Bradford and Dewsbury offer discounts of 33% and 30% respectively, with journey times of under 20 minutes.
AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS
Daniel Copley, Consumer Expert at Zoopla, says: “As we’ve seen, the move back to more time in the office is back on the agenda for a vast number of people in the UK.
“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 per cent.
“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.”
Source: Zoopla Research 2025
