Asking prices in northern commuter towns are rising at more than twice the rate seen in cities themselves
New analysis from Rightmove has identified the commuter locations recording the fastest asking price growth around six of Britain's largest cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Cardiff.
Of the 15 fastest-growing commuter hotspots across the six cities, 10 are located around Glasgow and Manchester. Falkirk in Stirlingshire tops the table with annual asking price growth of 13.5%, with average asking prices of £183,596.
Top 15 commuter hotspots by annual asking price growth
| Commuter hotspot | Nearby city | Average asking price | Annual price change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falkirk, Stirlingshire | Glasgow | £183,596 | +13.50% |
| Rochdale, Greater Manchester | Manchester | £238,115 | +8.70% |
| Broxbourne, Hertfordshire | London | £654,263 | +8.10% |
| St. Helens, Merseyside | Manchester | £192,570 | +7.80% |
| Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot | Cardiff | £176,787 | +7.70% |
| Wishaw, Lanarkshire | Glasgow | £140,127 | +7.00% |
| Wigan, Greater Manchester | Manchester | £193,347 | +6.20% |
| Stalybridge, Greater Manchester | Manchester | £265,378 | +5.60% |
| Greenock, Inverclyde | Glasgow | £135,151 | +5.30% |
| Hamilton, Lanarkshire | Glasgow | £174,869 | +5.30% |
| Wolverhampton, West Midlands | Birmingham | £230,737 | +5.20% |
| Barry, Vale of Glamorgan | Cardiff | £261,859 | +5.20% |
| East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire | Glasgow | £174,348 | +5.10% |
| Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire | Glasgow | £168,045 | +5.00% |
| Penarth, South Glamorgan | Cardiff | £432,414 | +4.70% |
Source: Rightmove
Eleven of the top 15 locations have average asking prices below £250,000. These include Rochdale at £238,115 and St Helens at £192,570. By contrast, many London commuter locations carry asking prices above £500,000.
Average asking price growth in the six cities themselves has been more modest. Glasgow recorded annual growth of 2.9% to £191,530, Manchester 1.8% to £261,212, and Cardiff 1.4% to £285,596. Birmingham and Bristol each fell 0.6% to £251,340 and £375,205 respectively, while London declined 3.1% to £646,451.
The divergence between northern and southern commuter markets reflects broader national trends. Haywards Heath in Sussex recorded the steepest annual decline among commuter locations analysed, falling 4.8% to £461,066, followed by Maidenhead at -3.9% to £571,686 and Bath at -3.8% to £508,109.
Top 15 commuter hotspots with the biggest price falls
| Commuter area | Nearby city | Average asking price | Annual price change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haywards Heath, West Sussex | London | £461,066 | -4.8% |
| Maidenhead, Berkshire | London | £571,686 | -3.9% |
| Bath, Somerset | Bristol | £508,109 | -3.8% |
| Leamington Spa, Warwickshire | Birmingham | £369,612 | -3.3% |
| Reading, Berkshire | London | £377,211 | -2.9% |
| Billericay, Essex | London | £558,087 | -2.8% |
| Yate, Bristol | Bristol | £331,921 | -2.3% |
| Slough, Berkshire | London | £405,182 | -2.2% |
| Chelmsford, Essex | London | £402,836 | -2.1% |
| Basingstoke, Hampshire | London | £353,642 | -1.9% |
| Woking, Surrey | London | £509,550 | -1.7% |
| Tonbridge, Kent | London | £483,362 | -1.5% |
| Redhill, Surrey | London | £426,481 | -1.3% |
| Brentwood, Essex | London | £559,908 | -1.2% |
| Caerphilly | Cardiff | £251,142 | -1.2% |
Source: Rightmove
"Our data highlights two very different stories playing out across some of Britain's commuter markets," said Colleen Babcock (pictured right), property expert at Rightmove. "In the more affordable locations around Glasgow and Manchester, asking prices are rising strongly as buyers look for value within reach of major cities.
"Meanwhile, some of the more expensive commuter hotspots are seeing prices ease, which could create opportunities for buyers who may previously have been priced out. For anyone considering a move, it's a reminder that looking a little further beyond the main city locations can often open up more options and better value for money."
Ian Harris (pictured right), president of industry body NAEA Propertymark, pointed to shifting attitudes towards location since the pandemic. "Since the pandemic, we've seen an initial reformatting of what many people want and need from the location they choose to live in," he said.
"Initially, we saw many people embrace the concept of working from home and enjoying a lifestyle away from the traditional city commute. However, this is now a trend that is starting to swing back, with many people looking for a hybrid location that offers easy commuter access to key cities, while also providing a desirable mix of out-of-city amenities.
"As house prices continue to adapt to changing market conditions and consumer expectations, it is encouraging to see proposals being shared on how public transport can play an important role in the planning of housing developments and how this may offer new options for people when considering where to live."
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