A town in the North East with a rich railway heritage has been identified as the most budget-friendly town in the UK for families. Shildon in County Durham holds the distinction of being the world’s first railway town, witnessing the inaugural steam locomotive passenger haul on a public railway with the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Zoopla’s research highlighted Shildon as an affordable housing hotspot. The town, home to the Locomotion museum, boasts an average house price of £82,000. This affordability translates to a value to earnings ratio of just 1.36 for potential buyers, with a monthly mortgage payment estimated at £325.
As the housing market gears up for the busy Easter buying season, Zoopla’s affordability ranking focused on 300 popular towns for families seeking three-bedroom homes. The analysis revealed that the top three most affordable locations are all in the North East of England, with seven of the top 10 falling within this region. Shildon’s housing prices are reported to be three times lower than the most economical towns in the South East.
In Wales, Ferndale emerges as the most cost-effective town, where an average three-bedroom home is priced at £113,000, equating to a value to earnings ratio of 1.85. Meanwhile, Cumnock in East Ayrshire leads the affordability list in Scotland, with an average property value of £113,600 and a value to earnings ratio of 1.68.
Richard Donnell, Zoopla’s executive director, emphasized the significant affordability gap across the UK. While affordable housing options exist nationwide, buyers often face a trade-off between lower house prices and proximity to major employment hubs. The coastal locations of many affordable towns in southern England may offer better affordability but could entail higher travel expenses, which may not suit all buyers.
Donnell encouraged buyers to leverage available tools to make informed decisions, considering trade-offs for a successful relocation in 2026. The data underscores the varying affordability landscapes across regions, prompting buyers to weigh their preferences and priorities carefully when navigating the housing market.