Best commuter towns near London (2026)

Last updated: September 17, 2026

Commuting into London is nothing new. For decades, buyers have based themselves in the Home Counties and beyond, trading a longer journey for more space and lower prices, while keeping the capital within reach for work. What’s changed is where that demand is currently concentrated.

We’ve ranked the top 10 commuter towns near London by buyer demand, measuring the number of enquiries each property listing receives against the London average. We’ve also compared average prices to London’s own figure of £636,531, along with journey times into the centre, to give a fuller picture of what each place has to offer.

This builds on our earlier look at the UK’s most popular commuter towns, where London’s commuter belt first featured. There is one change worth noting. Letchworth Garden City, previously in the capital’s top five commuter towns, has dropped out of the list this time round.

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The top 10 commuter towns near London

Below we can see how the top 10 commuter towns near London compare, ranked by buyer demand. The table shows average property price, price growth, demand versus London, journey time and train frequency into Zone 1.

Town	Avg. house price (Aug 2026)	Avg. house price change vs. Aug 2025	Enquirers per property vs. London	Fastest peak rail journey to London (in minutes)	London train station	Fast trains per hour at weekday morning peak time
Hitchin, Hertfordshire	£490,432	+0.2%	+104%	28	London King’s Cross	2
Welwyn, Hertfordshire	£771,906	-2.1%	+76%	29	London King’s Cross	2
Chelmsford, Essex	£405,107	-1.0%	+68%	35	London Liverpool Street	3
Reading, Berkshire	£374,623	-3.3%	+68%	23	London Paddington	9.5
Harlow, Essex	£337,630	-0.5%	+66%	35	London Liverpool Street	4
Harpenden, Hertfordshire	£957,744	+5.4%	+63%	26	London St Pancras International	5.5
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire	£782,729	-0.9%	+63%	33	London Euston	4
Bedford, Bedfordshire	£318,645	+0.1%	+60%	42	London St Pancras International	2
Basingstoke, Hampshire	£352,950	-2.2%	+58%	42	London Waterloo	5
Billericay, Essex	£565,067	-1.0%	+53%	34	London Liverpool Street	6

From Hertfordshire in the north to Hampshire in the south, and out to Essex in the east, the top 10 commuter towns span almost every direction out of the capital. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Hitchin, Hertfordshire

• Average price (August 2026): £490,432 (-23% vs London average)
• Price growth: +0.2% year-on-year
• Commute time: 28 minutes to London King’s Cross
• Enquiry demand: +104% compared to London

Hitchin is a market town with a long history, dating back to Saxon times. The town centre still holds a weekly market, and the surrounding North Hertfordshire countryside offers easy walking routes. Hitchin also has a strong selection of independent shops and cafés that give it a distinct character beyond the commute. Homes in Hitchin are in high demand right now, generating more than double the rate of enquiries compared to London. With a straightforward journey into King’s Cross, it’s easy to see the appeal.

2. Welwyn, Hertfordshire

• Average price (August 2026): £771,906 (+21% vs London average)
• Price growth: -2.1% year-on-year
• Commute time: 29 minutes to London King’s Cross
• Enquiry demand: +76% compared to London

Not to be confused with nearby Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn is a smaller and quieter village with a strong sense of community. The River Mimram runs through the village, and several period pubs sit along the main street. Digswell Viaduct, a Victorian railway bridge, is a notable local landmark visible from parts of the village. Prices here sit well above the London average, which reflects the area’s appeal. A 29-minute journey into King’s Cross keeps it firmly commutable.

3. Reading, Berkshire

• Average price (August 2026): £374,623 (-41% vs London average)
• Price growth: -3.3% year-on-year
• Commute time: 23 minutes to London Paddington (also served by the Elizabeth line)
• Enquiry demand: +68% compared to London

Reading has become one of the best-connected places outside London since the Elizabeth line arrived, adding a direct, high-frequency route into central London on top of existing fast services into Paddington. The town itself has a large shopping centre, lively music scene, and hosts the Reading Festival each summer. The Thames and Kennet rivers both run through the town. With prices well below the London average and the shortest journey time on this list at 23 minutes, homes in Reading offer a strong mix of value and connectivity.

4. Chelmsford, Essex

• Average price (August 2026): £405,107 (-36% vs London average)
• Price growth: -1.0% year-on-year
• Commute time: 35 minutes to London Liverpool Street
• Enquiry demand: +68% compared to London

Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and became a city in 2012. The cathedral, though modest in size, sits at the heart of the compact centre and is surrounded by a good mix of shops and restaurants. Hylands Park, on the edge of town, hosts major music festivals each summer. Prices in Chelmsford sit well below the London average, and a direct service into Liverpool Street takes around 35 minutes.

5. Harlow, Essex

• Average price (August 2026): £337,630 (-47% vs London average)
• Price growth: -0.5% year-on-year
• Commute time: 35 minutes to London Liverpool Street
• Enquiry demand: +66% compared to London

Designated a new town after the Second World War, Harlow was built with wide green spaces and pedestrian-friendly layouts in mind. The town has a strong sculpture trail, with public art dotted throughout its parks and squares. Harlow Town Park is one of the largest in the area and houses a museum with formal gardens. Property in Harlow remains among the more affordable options on this list, with a 35-minute journey into Liverpool Street.

6. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

• Average price (August 2026): £782,729 (+23% vs London average)
• Price growth: -0.9% year-on-year
• Commute time: 33 minutes to London Euston
• Enquiry demand: +63% compared to London

Sitting in the Bulbourne Valley, Berkhamsted is known for its ruined Norman castle, once visited by William the Conqueror. The high street retains a good number of independent shops, and the Grand Union Canal runs directly through the town. Ashridge Estate, a large National Trust property, is just a short drive away. Prices here sit well above the London average, but a 33-minute journey into Euston keeps Berkhamsted within easy reach of the capital.

7. Harpenden, Hertfordshire

• Average price (August 2026): £957,744 (+50% vs London average)
• Price growth: +5.4% year-on-year
• Commute time: 26 minutes to London St Pancras International
• Enquiry demand: +63% compared to London

Harpenden is the most expensive town on this list, and one of the most affluent commuter towns in the country. The town has a large, open common at its centre, along with a strong selection of independent shops and restaurants. Harpenden also recorded the strongest price growth of any town on this list over the past year. A 26-minute journey into St Pancras International keeps it a practical, if pricier, option for commuters.

8. Bedford, Bedfordshire

• Average price (August 2026): £318,645 (-50% vs London average)
• Price growth: +0.1% year-on-year
• Commute time: 42 minutes to London St Pancras International
• Enquiry demand: +60% compared to London

Bedford sits on the River Great Ouse, with riverside parks and walks running through the town centre. The town has a notable Italian community which is reflected in its food and culture, along with a growing arts scene. Bedford also offers the lowest average price on this list by some distance. Trains into St Pancras International take around 42 minutes, making it a longer but more affordable choice for those working in London.

9. Basingstoke, Hampshire

• Average price (August 2026): £352,950 (-45% vs London average)
• Price growth: -2.2% year-on-year
• Commute time: 42 minutes to London Waterloo
• Enquiry demand: +58% compared to London

Once a small market town, Basingstoke expanded significantly during the 1960s and now serves as a major business hub in Hampshire. The town centre includes a large shopping complex, and the surrounding countryside offers easy access to the North Wessex Downs. Basing House, a ruined Tudor mansion on the edge of town, adds a historic counterpoint to its modern centre. Homes in Basingstoke remain comparatively affordable, though a 42-minute journey into Waterloo makes it the joint longest commute in the top 10.

10. Billericay, Essex

• Average price (August 2026): £565,067 (-11% vs London average)
• Price growth: -1.0% year-on-year
• Commute time: 34 minutes to London Liverpool Street
• Enquiry demand: +53% compared to London

Billericay offers a quieter, more suburban alternative to some of the larger towns in the top 10. The high street includes a healthy mix of independent shops and cafés, and the surrounding Essex countryside is within easy reach. Billericay also has a strong selection of well-regarded local schools. With a 34-minute journey into Liverpool Street, it rounds out the list as a solid option for buyers wanting space without straying too far from the capital.

Which commuter town is right for you?

With such a spread of prices and journey times on across the top 10, it’s worth weighing up what matters most to you before deciding where to search. Here’s a breakdown based on three common priorities.

Which commuter town has the fastest journey into London?

Reading offers the fastest journey time into London in this list, at just 23 minutes into Paddington. Next fastest is Harpenden at 26 minutes and Hitchin at 28 minutes.

Which commuter town offers the best value?

Bedford has the lowest average price on this list at £318,645, with Harlow and Basingstoke also among the more affordable options.

Which commuter town is best for families?

Harlow, Bedford and Billericay are among the commuter towns with notable parks and green space, as well as a good choice of local schools. This makes them worth considering for buyers with children.

FAQs

• What counts as a commuter town near London?

  For this top 10, we’ve defined commuter towns as places within a 45-minute train journey of central London with a population of at least 20,000.

• Which commuter town near London is most popular with buyers?

  Hitchin is currently the most popular commuter town near London, generating 104% more enquirers per listing than London itself.

• How much cheaper is it to live in a London commuter town?

  Bedford is the most affordable London commuter town on this list, with an average house price of £318,645, well below the London average of £636,531. Towns such as Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Welwyn all sit above the London average.

• Which commuter towns near London have the best rail links?

  Reading offers both the fastest and most frequent rail services into London, with journeys of around 23 minutes and up to 9.5 fast trains an hour into Paddington at peak times, boosted further by the Elizabeth line.

*House price data from the Rightmove House Price Index (August 2026). Commuter towns and cities defined as being within 45 minutes of the target city and with a population of at least 20,000 people (ONS). Fastest peak rail times from National Rail. Number of fast trains per hour from live.departures.info. Demand rankings and figures based on the number of enquiries per available sales property listing on Rightmove in July 2026.

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