We know the best places to live in the UK but where exactly are the cheapest places to buy a house? For the third year in a row, Shildon in County Durham has been crowned the most affordable place to purchase a house in the UK, according to new research by Zoopla.
Examining over 1,000 towns across the country, Zoopla analysed house price-to-earnings ratios (based on a two-earner household on the average salary for the local area) to uncover the cheapest place to buy a house in the UK in 2022.
So how has Shildon held onto its title? The average household in the UK can expect to pay four times their combined salary to purchase a home in 2022 – this falls to 1.1 times to purchase a house in Shildon. So the small town wins the affordability rankings with an average house price of £71,000, driven by a dominance of terraced housing.
Three other County Durham locations also feature in the top 10, as buyers in these towns can expect to pay only up to 1.5 times the average two-earner household salary for a property. This is compared to the UK as a whole, where the average household can expect to pay as much as four times the amount.
Four Scottish towns feature this year. These areas of historic Ayrshire include Stevenson, Cumnock, Girvan and, the only new entrant to make the top 10 list in 2022, Irvine. Cleator Moor, Egremont and Millom in Cumbria round off the list.
With home buyers searching for space following the pandemic, these rural locations could be the perfect retreat for those looking for a slower pace of life, extra space, or a bit more peace and quiet.
But despite a clear appetite for the country lifestyle, the desire for city centre living is undeniably strong, and, according to Zoopla's research, there are clear pockets of affordability in all major UK cities.
Barking & Dagenham is the most affordable area in London, while in Newcastle, it's Wallsend. In Greater Manchester it is Leigh, and Brierley Hill takes the crown just outside of Birmingham in Dudley.
Want to get the most bang for your buck? Then take a look at the cheapest places which made the list...
Top 10 most affordable UK towns to purchase a property
1. Shildon, County Durham (£71,000 average property price)
2. Cleator Moor, Copeland (£105,700)
3. Ferryhill, County Durham (£80,400)
4. Stevenston, North Ayrshire (£88,800)
5. Cumnock, East Ayrshire (£89,400)
6. Peterlee, County Durham (£84,200)
7. Egremont, Copeland (£120,900)
8. Girvan, South Ayrshire (£105,000)
9. Irvine, North Ayrshire (£102,100)
10. Millam, Copeland (£131,500)
'The cost of living crisis has meant that affordability has been pushed to the forefront of buyers' minds this year, more than ever. Our affordability data helps buyers to make informed decisions about where their money may go further across Britain, especially those who may have hidden equity in their home,' says Grainne Gilmore, Head of Research at Zoopla.
'Once again, we are seeing that many of the most affordable areas for potential home buyers are across Scotland and the North of England which could be attractive to those still searching for the perfect post-pandemic family space.'
Top 10 most affordable boroughs in London
1. Barking and Dagenham London Borough
2. Bexley
= Croydon
= Tower Hamlets
5. Greenwich
6.. Lewisham
= Havering
8. Enfield
= Sutton
= Newham
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New home gifts: 20 really good housewarming gift ideas
This is a bestseller for a reason. This lovely gift set from The White Company includes the Seychelles signature candle, room spray and diffuser for a home that will smell truly delightful. This scent combines notes of evocative bergamot, bright orange and fresh coconut, with a hint of green jasmine, warming amber and buttery vanilla. Divine!
If you're looking for a practical housewarming gift, you can't go wrong with Smeg. If your recipient has a penchant for sky blue shades (and getting hands-on in the kitchen), then snap up this fabulous blender set for endless uses.
This antique-style candle holder is a brilliant gift for the person who appreciates a good tablescape. They can use it to dress their dinner table or simply style on a sideboard. It's handmade and crafted from high quality chromed steel with a brass finish, which gives it that antique look. Don't forget to buy some taper candles so they can set the scene right away!
This stainless steel map location key holder displays the location of a new home, the address and chosen names. It's a great idea that not only pays homage to a new neighbourhood, but keeps keys safe and in one place!
Is it a vase? Is it a book? This rather beautiful ceramic vase, shaped like a hardback book, is perfect for displaying dried flowers. Decorated like a classic novel with pretty floral details, this would ideally look at home on a bookshelf or mantel.
Championing consciously designed interiors, Nkuku is one of our favourites for quality, crafted pieces that will stand the test of time. A perfect new home gift, this decanter made from recycled glass has a lovely etched detailing on the base. If you've got a generous budget, buy the set of four tumblers to match.
Peonies are fleeting beauties and this lovely coffee table book captures this beloved flower in abundance. Not just for show, inside you'll find photos of blooming peonies alongside fascinating botanical knowledge and an overview of the plant's cultural history by author Anja Klaffenbach. The book series includes succulents, roses, orchids and lilies, so the whole (rather colourful) set would make a lovely housewarming gift for green-fingered types.
This one's a kitchen must-have. Other than chopping up vegetables for dinner, this round acacia wood board is a rustic way to serve up canapés and other tasty treats. Carved by hand in India, it's shaped and chiselled using traditional woodworking techniques.
Buying a housewarming gift for a new plant parent? You can't go wrong with an unkillable bundle. The set includes the cast iron plant, robusta rubber plant and the snake plant.
Make every coffee break a bright one with this cup and saucer set, just like those used across all the Grind cafés. We love the rich red glossy glaze and contrasting white trim on the plate and inner cup. You can choose from espresso (80ml), flat white (180ml) and cappuccino (200ml).
Organisation is key when creating a streamlined home, so we think this Kate Spade letter tray would make the perfect gift. It can be positioned on a console table or desk to collate letters and ensure everything remains in one place.
Even for those who prefer a neutral, pared-back home, the kitchen is an ideal space to introduce colour. We love these vibrant salt and pepper grinders by Alessi (sold separately) that will perfectly transition from a kitchen worktop to a dining table.
Another kitchen essential, budding or keen cooks will no doubt appreciate the viral Always Pan. No meal is off-limits with this colourful duo.
A kitchen staple, you can never have too many tea towels in our opinion. We've added these to the list because any style-conscious lover will appreciate the beauty of William Morris prints!
These glazed pastel stacking heart bowls are simply beautiful. Painted with reactive glazes, each has a distinctive finish which makes it all the more unique.
For the person who loves a scented home, choose from three scents: Black Pomegranate (black), Sea Grass (navy) and Nag Champa (mustard yellow). The set includes a gold foiled presentation box with 15 handcrafted incense sticks.
Give the gift of a lovely new photo frame, perfect for a sideboard or home office. This one's finished with an on-trend scalloped-edge in a glossy mid-blue hue.
Practical gifts will always be appreciated. The perfect home greeting, this rectangular coconut fibre doormat emblazoned with the word 'welcome' is a must-have for a new abode.
This is a brilliant personalised new home gift for cheese lovers. Sure to take pride of place in the kitchen, it can be personalised with a name of your choosing. It's cleverly designed too, with a hidden compartment containing a set of cheese knives.
There are some items that will always have a place in the home, and a versatile bowl is one of them. This one is made from intricately woven black seagrass and finished with a criss cross decorative pattern.
