London commuter towns with the best property value for 2026

According to Land Registry data reporting by Which, house prices in London are increasing at a rate well below the national average. Compared to the North West (+4.8%) and the South East (+1.2%), London’s annual increase of just 0.7% feels surprisingly low.

However, there’s a catch: when the average property price is almost 50% higher in London than the second most expensive part of the country, that annual increase means more in real terms. The ladder is near-impossible to get onto, while existing homeowners find themselves paying more money for less house.

It’s no surprise, then, that so many people who work in London are buying new build homes elsewhere in key commuter towns. The financial saving is clear: according to Savills, commuters can save as much as £3000 per minute of journey time from London. But established and emerging commuter towns offer more than lower prices. They open up a more relaxed, rural lifestyle, as close to the countryside as they are to the capital.

Guildford: scenic beauty meets connectivity

A previous Best Place to Live on The Sunday Times’ coveted list, Guildford is the quintessential commuter town with trains to London Waterloo in just under 40 minutes. Commuters can also take advantage of great road connections including fast access to the M25, with London usually achievable in under 90 minutes.

Life in Guildford strikes the perfect balance between the cobbled streets of a smaller market town and all the convenience of a populous city. Whether you’re exploring local independent boutiques, meeting for name-brand shopping and lunch in the Friary Shopping Centre or spending a family day out in Guildford Castle Grounds, it’s all in easy reach.

With a long history as a key part of the London commuter belt, Guildford’s house prices remain above average. The average property price in Guildford is £524,238 compared to £663,258 in London, although the majority of sales in Guildford are semi-detached properties versus flats in London. Demand and competition are high; our previous developments near Guildford, The Hamptons and The Green, both sold quickly.

Burgess Hill: An emerging commuter town in West Sussex

With extensive plans for regeneration and improved transport links, Burgess Hill is quickly cementing itself as a commuter hub with direct trains to London Blackfriars in under an hour. Just 39 miles south of London, the town offers two railway stations for easy links to the capital and the surrounding countryside.

From our two Burgess Hill developments, The Vale and Fairways, you’ll find plenty to see and do, regardless of your preferences and lifestyle. A walk through the wilderness? The South Downs National Park offers rolling landscapes and wooded heaths. An evening swim after a long day at work? The Triangle is Burgess Hill’s state of the art leisure centre with a range of facilities and classes.

Downmarket of the more established, expensive commuter town of Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill’s average property price is £441,370 (although this looks likely to increase as redevelopment and regeneration plans begin to take shape).

Staplehurst: Your gateway to a relaxed village lifestyle

Staplehurst in Kent is a picturesque, characterful place to live with property prices at a fraction of those in London. By rail, Staplehurst is just five stops from London Bridge with an average travel time of 47 minutes. Commuting by car is also a possibility but, with winding country roads to navigate before you join the main network, this can take around 90 minutes.

As a reputable commuter town, Staplehurst itself is a fairly expensive place to live where demand is high and available properties are quickly snapped up. However, it’s also a gateway to many more surrounding villages, where you can enjoy countryside living without compromising on access to transport connections and the capital.

In Sissinghurst, Cranbook – a ten-minute drive from Staplehurst train station – our Gallica development is crafted for the calm of country life. At our collection of luxury new build homes, you’ll be moments from plenty to see and do, including Sissinghurst Castle Garden, acres of ancient woodland and charming pubs like The Milk House and The Granary Restaurant.

Crowborough: An in-demand commuter town

With a history of development driven by the addition of its own railway station, Crowborough in East Sussex is one of the best value commuter towns where you can save as much as 60% compared to a home in Zone 2. From Crowborough station, your journey to London Bridge takes just over an hour.

Crowborough itself is a relaxed, welcoming place to live on the commuter belt, nestled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But what really sets Crowborough apart is the unique blend of countryside living and modern convenience. At our Warren Grove development – an elegant collection of exceptional three and four-bed homes – you’ll be close to:

• Some of the region’s best schools including the highly rated Greenfields Independent School

• Fun days out including the Crowborough Miniature Railway

• A choice of pubs and restaurants (The Lazy Fox near Tunbridge Wells is unmissable)

• Shopping of every style, from convenient supermarkets to boutique retailers

With so much to enjoy on your doorstep, alongside links to London, property prices in Crowborough tend to be high. According to data from GetAgent, the average sale price is £605,574. However, this higher-than-average price may reflect the nature of the properties in the town, with an emphasis on larger properties that cater to discerning, luxury tastes.

Tunbridge Wells: One of Kent’s most popular commuter towns

Elegant streets lined with Victorian architecture, endless green space at Knole Park and access to some of Kent’s best schools, including Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School (rated Outstanding) and The Skinners’ School. Tunbridge Wells has a lot to offer in its own right, making it a popular place to live where property prices perform considerably above the market.

But it’s the town’s longstanding reputation as a commuter hub that continues to drive prices up. Data from Belvoir estimates the average property price at £520,000, with homes close to the train station commanding 10-15% higher prices. From the station, it’s just 53 minutes to London, while the A21 offers fast access to the M25 by car.

While Tunbridge Wells itself doesn’t reflect a huge saving compared to the outskirts of London, other nearby towns and villages combined the convenience of Tunbridge Wells’ connections with lower property prices.

Uckfield: Serious savings compared to other commuter towns

Just 15 miles from the coast, Uckfield is an increasingly popular commuter town with train travel to London in just over an hour. This charming town is also well-connected to other local commuter hubs, including Haywards Heath (for faster train services to London), Lewes and Tunbridge Wells.

According to The Telegraph, Uckfield is that rare hidden gem: a commuter town that’s still overlooked by buyers, keeping property prices down. On The Market estimate the average property price at £398,000 in October 2025, not just lower than London, but lower than many of the surrounding towns and villages.

Our upcoming development, Maresfield Heights, offers a luxury new build home close to Uckfield station, with scenic views of the River Uck and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on your doorstep.

Battle: Connected to both the capital and history

Well-known as a base for professionals commuting to roles in the City of London, Battle is a small town in East Sussex, close to Hastings and the High Weald National Landscape. While the average journey time to London by rail approaches 90 minutes, this longer commute is more than worth it for access to historic sites and the stunning south coastline.

What started as a historic battlefield in 1066 is now home to a surprising range of things to see and do. You’ll find a vast choice of pubs and restaurants, including the characterful Bull Inn, as well as shopping along the town’s thriving high street and days out across the area’s historic sites.

Over the past few years, property prices in Battle have steadily increased, reaching an average of £450,060 in 2025 (a 6% increase versus 2024). We’re delighted to be adding to the town’s rich history with our latest development, North Trade Road, offering beautifully designed two, three and four-bedroom homes in the heart of the community.

Unlock a new level of luxury on the London commuter belt

When you’re considering whether to live in the capital or venture out into the commuter belt, affordability may not be your key concern. It’s not that a home on the outskirts of London is out of reach, but that you’re paying a significant premium for a more convenient commute.

At Brookworth, we create luxury new build homes where your investment goes into your home, not its location alone. From seamless architecture to interior design, premium functionality to smart home features, a Brookworth home is a place where you can feel a sense of luxury in every detail.

Explore our developments to find your perfect home away from the capital, or get in touch with our experienced sales teams for more help.