A Rightmove analysis of markets around six major cities indicates that commuter hotspots near Glasgow and Manchester account for ten of the 15 strongest performers in annual asking price growth. The property portal examined listed price trends across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff, and their surrounding commuter areas.
Falkirk registered the most significant growth, with average asking prices increasing by 13.5% year-on-year to £183,596. Many of the top performers are more affordable markets, with 11 of the top 15 having average asking prices below £250,000, including Rochdale at £238,115 and St Helens at £192,570.
Conversely, some higher-priced commuter locations in the south experienced declines. Haywards Heath saw the largest fall, with average asking prices down 4.8% to £461,066. Maidenhead followed with a 3.9% decrease to £571,686, and Bath was down 3.8% to £508,109.
Asking price growth was generally more subdued within the six major cities themselves. Glasgow recorded a 2.9% annual rise to £191,530, Manchester was up 1.8% to £261,212, and Cardiff increased by 1.4% to £285,596. Average asking prices fell by 0.6% in both Birmingham (£251,340) and Bristol (£375,205), while London saw a 3.1% decline to £646,451.
Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, noted that the data reveals "two very different stories playing out across some of Britain’s commuter markets." She suggested that in more affordable areas, prices are rising as buyers seek value near major cities, while in more expensive hotspots, prices are easing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.