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 inaugural railway town. This town witnessed the pioneering event of a steam locomotive carrying passengers on a public railway when the Stockton and Darlington Railway, spanning 26 miles, commenced operations.
This town, which houses the Locomotion museum, has been highlighted in a study conducted by Zoopla. As per the findings, the average house price in Shildon stands at £82,000. This affordability allows potential buyers to enter the property market with a value to earnings ratio of just 1.36, resulting in a typical monthly mortgage payment of £325.
The timing of this analysis is crucial as it coincides with the onset of the bustling Easter home buying season.
Zoopla’s assessment is based on the 300 sought-after towns for families seeking to purchase three-bedroom homes. The popularity ranking is determined by the number of property views, and these towns are subsequently ranked based on affordability.
Interestingly, the top three spots belong to locations in the North East of England, with seven out of the top 10 being situated in this region. Zoopla notes that homes in Shildon are priced at three times less than the most affordable towns in the South East of England.
In Ferndale, located in the Rhondda Valley and known as the most economical town in Wales, the average cost of a three-bedroom house is £113,000, with a value to earnings ratio of 1.85. Cumnock, a historic market town in East Ayrshire, leads the ranking in Scotland with an average property value of £113,600 and a value to earnings ratio of 1.68.
Richard Donnell, the executive director at Zoopla, remarked, “The property market is entering a period of high activity, with a surplus of homes for sale and an increasing emphasis on value for money among buyers.”
He added, “The considerable disparity in affordability across the UK is striking. In certain parts of the North East, families can secure a home for significantly less than the cost in the most budget-friendly towns in the south of England.”
Donnell also highlighted the trade-off that buyers often face between lower house prices and proximity to major employment hubs. He pointed out that many of the most affordable towns in southern England are coastal areas, potentially leading to higher travel expenses, which may not suit everyone.
He concluded, “Various tools are available to assist buyers in making well-informed decisions and understanding the compromises involved in making a successful move in 2026.”