Towns in the North East of England offer a route to homeownership at just £325 per month, Zoopla analysis shows.
Shildon in County Durham is the most affordable town, where the average value of a 3-bed house is just £82,500. After that comes Peterlee (£98,750) and Ferryhill (£99,700).
Ferndale is a town and community in the Rhondda Valley and the most affordable town in Wales, with average 3 bed home values of £113,000.
Cumnock, is an historic market town in East Ayrshire, south of Glasgow and tops the list in Scotland with an average value of £113,600.
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.”
Dover is the most affordable town in the South East, with monthly mortgage repayments of £1,100.
Lowestoft in the East of England and Cinderford in the South West top the affordability ranking for families across the south of England.
