Average asking prices have fallen across 11 of London’s popular commuter belt towns, while prices have risen in hotspots near Glasgow and Manchester, Rightmove analysis has found.
Haywards Heath just south of London was the commuter town with the sharpest fall in house prices over the past year, while Falkirk near Glasgow saw the steepest growth.
The property portal looked at changes in house prices around the UK’s largest commuter cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Cardiff.
Haywards Heath in Sussex has long been popular with commuters as it is around 45 minutes by train to the capital and only 16 minutes to Gatwick Airport.
However, the latest data suggests prices there have fallen by 4.8% over the year to £461,066.
Also in London’s commuter belt, Maidenhead in Berkshire was close behind, recording a 3.9% fall in average asking prices to £571,686.
Bath, a city in its own right and a popular choice for commuters working in Bristol, saw prices dip by 3.8% to £508,109.
By contrast, in Falkirk average asking prices surged by 13.5% to £183,596.
Rochdale, near Manchester recorded an 8.7% increase in prices to £238,115, while Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, within London’s commuter zone, saw prices rise by 8.1% to £654,263.
Most of the locations with the sharpest growth were in areas with lower house prices.
Across the six cities analysed, the strongest growth is concentrated in commuter locations around Glasgow and Manchester, with 10 of the top 15 hotspots located around the two cities.
Rightmove found that 11 of the top 15 fastest-growing locations have average asking prices below £250,000, including Falkirk (£183,596), Rochdale (£238,115) and St Helens (£192,570).
On the other hand London’s commuter towns often have asking prices in excess of £500,000.
Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock says: “Our data highlights two very different stories playing out across some of Britain’s commuter markets.
“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.”
Rettie director Shona Crawford says: “The continued strength of Glasgow’s commuter areas reflects the exceptional lifestyle they offer.
“Areas such as Bearsden, Milngavie, Newton Mearns and Giffnock combine easy access to Glasgow with larger family homes, green space, and strong local communities.
“They are also home to many of Scotland’s highest-performing state schools, making them particularly attractive to families seeking long-term value.
“When you combine excellent educational opportunities with connectivity, amenity and access to the countryside, it’s clear why demand for these locations remains so resilient.”