Places Near London: Ideal for Commuters
We’ve listed places near London that are great for commuters who are prepared to look further beyond the capital in search of potentially more affordable house prices. It might come as no surprise that the closer you live to the capital, the more expensive property tends to be. London remains the most expensive region in the UK for house prices, with the average property costing around £550,000 in July 2026.
Looking further beyond London can reduce average house prices substantially, depending on the location. So, if you’re happy to spend a little longer commuting, you could get more for your money.
Top 10 places to live near London
We’ve left the best London commuter towns out of our research and looked at more than just the average house prices of places near London. We’ve looked at what each place has going for it, including train times and annual train season ticket prices, where available.
House prices are based on July 2026 UK House Price Index data and are provisional, so may be revised. Train times and season-ticket prices are a guide and can vary by service, route and ticket type. Always check current rail fares and timetables before making a commuting decision.
Our top 10 consider a combination of commute time, house prices and what each location has to offer. So, let’s reveal our top 10!
1. Rugby, Warwickshire
Coming in at the top of our places near London list is Rugby, a thriving town offering a blend of historical charm and modern conveniences.
- Fastest train to London: around 52 mins
- London station: London Euston
- Annual season ticket from: £7,360*
- Average house price: £273,000**
2. Chelmsford, Essex
In second position is Chelmsford, Essex. Chelmsford is known for its lively city centre and rich history.
Fast rail connections into Liverpool Street make it one of the quickest commutes on this list, although house prices remain relatively high compared with some of the locations further from London.
- Fastest train to London: around 30 mins
- London station: London Liverpool Street
- Annual season ticket from: £5,204*
- Average house price: £378,000**
3. Swindon, Wiltshire
Swindon is often seen as a strategic choice thanks to its rail connections to both London and Bristol.
Ideal for those looking to enjoy urban convenience while being surrounded by the Wiltshire countryside, Swindon also offers comparatively affordable housing.
- Fastest train to London: around 50–55 mins
- London station: London Paddington
- Average house price: £264,000**
4. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Peterborough combines comparatively affordable housing with some of the fastest London journey times on this list.
- Fastest train to London: around 47 mins
- London station: London Kings Cross
- Annual season ticket from: £8,584*
- Average house price: £235,000**
5. Leicester, East Midlands
Leicester has plenty going for it, including comparatively affordable housing, a wide range of amenities and plenty of green space.
If you’re thinking of moving to Leicester, you’ll be calling one of the oldest cities in the UK home. You can enjoy a good mix of shopping amenities, places to eat and drink and green spaces.
- Fastest train to London: around 1 hr 3 mins
- London station: London St Pancras International
- Annual season ticket from: £12,236*
- Average house price: £227,000**
6. Southampton, Hampshire
Southampton is a great option for anyone wanting to be near the coast but still have good connectivity to London. It has a thriving city centre full of rich culture and history and some of the greenest spaces in the UK. It caters to all demographics, from students to families to retirees.
- Fastest train to London: around 1 hr 20 mins
- London station: London Waterloo
- Annual season ticket from: £7,476 for an any-permitted route*
- Average house price: £236,000**
7. Salisbury, Wiltshire
Known for its medieval cathedral, Salisbury is a picturesque city with a rich cultural heritage and lively arts scene. The wider region offers ancient sites and spots that have been around for thousands of years.
- Fastest train to London: about 1 hr 25 mins
- London station: London Waterloo
- Average house price (Wiltshire): £329,000**
8. Bristol, South West England
Bristol combines vibrant city living with easy access to countryside and the South West. Direct trains also connect Bristol Temple Meads with London Paddington.
- Fastest train to London: around 1 hr 30 mins
- London station: London Paddington
- Annual season ticket from: £15,404*
- Average house price: £352,000**
9. Norwich, Norfolk
Norwich is well known for its medieval architecture and offers a mix of history, shopping, culture and a strong sense of community.
- Fastest train to London: around 1 hr 30–40 mins
- London station: London Liverpool Street
- Annual season ticket from: £10,716*
- Average house price: £224,000**
10. Nottingham, East Midlands
Nottingham offers a dynamic blend of heritage and modern city living. It also has the lowest average house price of the 10 locations on this list, although rail commuting costs are relatively high.
- Fastest train to London: around 1 hr 36 mins
- London station: London St Pancras International
- Annual season ticket from: £12,516*
- Average house price: £190,000**
If you’re a commuter considering a move, it’s not just about how quickly you can get into London, but also what the travel costs are like and what your life will be like when you get home. Each of these places near London offers something unique, from seaside living in Southampton to the historic streets of Salisbury and the bustling city vibe of Bristol.
But before you make your move make sure you understand the property facts, with a Move iQ property report. Undertaking thorough property research is vital in the home-buying journey.
Source: *Train times and annual season-ticket prices – Trainline, checked October 2026; journey times and prices vary by service, route and ticket restrictions. **Average house prices – UK House Price Index, ONS/HM Land Registry, July 2026. House-price figures are provisional and may be revised.
Other notable commuter towns near London
Not making the top 10 but still worth considering for their balance of commute times, lifestyle, and affordability are:
- Woking, Surrey – fastest train to London Waterloo: around 24 mins
- Maidenhead, Berkshire – fastest train to London: around 18 mins
- Sevenoaks, Kent – fastest train to London: around 21 mins
- Farnborough, Hampshire – fastest train to London Waterloo: around 34 mins
- Colchester, Essex – fastest train to London Liverpool Street: around 47 mins
- Crawley, West Sussex – fastest train to London: around 43 mins
- Basingstoke, Hampshire – fastest train to London: around 42 mins
- Ashford, Kent – fastest train to London St Pancras: around 36 mins
- Worthing, West Sussex – fastest train to London: around 1 hr 19 mins
- Eastbourne, East Sussex – fastest train to London: around 1 hr 27 mins
Finding the right balance
Moving to a new area is a big decision and it’s not something to take lightly. Make sure to consider what you value most. Whether that is the shortest commute, the liveliest city, or the most affordable place to buy a house. Each of these places, all within a reasonable commute to London, offers a different mix of these elements. It’s about finding the right balance between work and life.
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Last Updated: October 6th, 2026
