North East England makes up seven of the top 10 most affordable towns
A North East town steeped in railway history has been named the most affordable town in Britain for families.
Shildon in County Durham is known as the world’s first railway town. It was the first place in the world to witness a steam locomotive hauling passengers on a public railway when the 26 mile Stockton and Darlington Railway opened.
The town, home to the Locomotion museum, has been singled out in research by Zoopla. According to the property website, the average house price in Shildon is £82,000, meaning that dual buyers can get onto the ladder with a value to earnings ratio of just 1.36, and a typical monthly mortgage payment would be £325.
The analysis comes at an important time for the housing market as we enter the busy Easter home buying season.
Zoopla’s affordability ranking is based on the 300 popular towns for families looking to buy three bed homes – popularity is based on the number of views per property – and the are then ranked by affordability.
The first three areas are all in the North East of England, as are seven of the top 10. Homes in Shildon are three times cheaper than the most affordable towns in South East England, Zoopla said.
In Ferndale in the Rhondda Valley, and the most affordable town in Wales, an average three bed home costs £113,000 and the price to earnings ratio is 1.85. Cumnock, an historic market town in East Ayrshire, tops the list in Scotland with an average value of £113,600 and a value to earnings ratio of 1.68.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “The housing market is entering one of its busiest periods, with the most homes for sale in many years and at a time when buyers are becoming increasingly focused on value for money.
“What stands out is the scale of the affordability gap across the UK. In parts of the North East, families can buy a home for much less than the cost of buying in the most affordable towns in southern England.
“While there are affordable options in every region, buyers often face a trade-off between lower house prices and their proximity to major employment centres. Many of the most affordable towns in southern England are coastal meaning better affordability may come at the cost of more expensive travel which may not work for everyone.
“The tools are out there to help buyers make better informed decisions and understand the trade offs to make a successful move in 2026.”
Top 10 most affordable towns in the UK
1. Shildon (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £82,500
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £60,800
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.36
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £325
2. Peterlee (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £98,750
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £60,800
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.62
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £389
3. Ferryhill (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £99,700
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £60,800
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.64
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £392
4. Ferndale (Wales)
- Average three-bed home – £113,000
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £61,000
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.85
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £445
5. Cumnock (Scotland)
- Average three-bed home – £113,600
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £67,700
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.68
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £447
6. Stanley (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £114,450
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £60,800
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.88
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £450
7. Crook (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £118,100
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £60,800
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.94
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £465
8. Irvine (Scotland)
- Average three-bed home – £120,900
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £70,900
- Value to earnings ratio – 1.70
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £476
9. Ashington (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £130,800
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £62,300
- Value to earnings ratio – 2.10
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £515
10. Hartlepool (North East)
- Average three-bed home – £132,600
- Estimated earnings required (two full-time earners) – £59,000
- Value to earnings ratio – 2.25
- Estimated monthly mortgage repayment – £522
