A town in the North East with a rich railway history has been identified as the most budget-friendly town in the UK for families. Shildon in County Durham is renowned as the world’s inaugural railway town, witnessing the first steam locomotive carrying passengers on a public railway when the Stockton and Darlington Railway, spanning 26 miles, commenced operations.
Zoopla’s research has spotlighted Shildon as the standout town. The average house price in Shildon stands at £82,000, indicating that prospective buyers can enter the housing market with a value to earnings ratio of just 1.36, with an approximate monthly mortgage payment of £325.
The timing of this analysis coincides with the upcoming busy Easter home buying season. Zoopla’s affordability ranking focuses on 300 sought-after towns for families eyeing three-bedroom homes, with popularity gauged by views per property and then ranked based on affordability.
Notably, the top three towns are situated in the North East of England, with seven of the top 10 falling in the same region. Shildon’s housing prices are three times lower than those in the most economical towns in South East England, according to Zoopla.
In Wales, Ferndale emerges as the most economical town with an average cost of £113,000 for a three-bedroom home and a value to earnings ratio of 1.85. Meanwhile, Cumnock in Scotland, an historic market town, leads the Scottish rankings 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 current housing market dynamics, noting the abundance of homes for sale and increasing buyer emphasis on value for money. He highlighted the significant affordability gap existing across the UK, particularly underscoring the difference in prices between the North East and southern England.
Buyers are faced with a trade-off between lower house prices and proximity to major job hubs, with affordability often linked to coastal locations in southern England, potentially resulting in higher travel costs. Donnell encouraged buyers to leverage available tools to make informed decisions and navigate trade-offs effectively for successful moves in 2026.