Just over 10 miles outside the historic city of Durham, you’ll find the cheapest town to buy property in the UK – with houses on the market for less than £50,000.
Shildon is widely regarded as the world’s first railway town, but it also has homes up for sale for considerably lower than the going rate.
Now, a new study by Zoopla has placed the County Durham location as the most affordable location to buy in Britain, with a typical market price of £73,900 – miles behind the UK average of £270,000.
Looking at Rightmove, there’s currently a four-bedroom house up for sale for £45,000 – considerably below even Zoopla’s figures – and miraculously, it’s not going to require a complete revamp as it’s in fairly good nick.
The kitchen and family bathroom might both require a little bit of attention, but downstairs, the carpet appears to be a relatively new fitting – and there’s also a fireplace in the living room for extra winter cosiness.
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Still, it’s arguably a complete steal considering the price. Plus, it’s a 23-minute drive from Durham, and a direct train away from Darlington (four stops away, or 20 minutes).
This isn’t the only gem that’s considerably under the UK property average: there’s another three-bedroom home up for sale for £55,000, which is also up for grabs via auction. There’s double glazing, too.
What are the pros and cons of buying in County Durham?
As Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa previously told Metro, it’s not just affordability that makes County Durham a great place for aspirational homeowners.
‘The area has an abundance of larger homes for those looking to climb further up the ladder,’ she says.
‘In many areas of the UK property market, a lack of larger family suitable homes is a key issue preventing many buyers from progressing up the ladder, but County Durham goes against the grain in this respect.’
What’s more, the area is known for its strong school system, healthcare infrastructure and safe, welcoming community, all of which, as Verona notes, are ‘attractive traits for families looking to make their move.’
Why is housing so cheap in County Durham?
As Verona explains, housing is relatively cheap in County Durham as properties are generally priced depending on local ‘earning potential.’
In the local area, statistics from InstantAtlas demonstrate that the average salary in 2025 is £29,718 – which is almost the same price as some of the properties on offer.
In nearby Horden, the closure of the mines in 1987 hugely impacted both the local community and the economy, as local workers were forced to take their livelihoods elsewhere.
However, local authorities are investing time and money into regenerating the area, as seen in the Mayor’s commitment to delivering a new generation of social housing.
In 2024, almost £4.5 million worth of investment was confirmed for Horden alone, which will be used to build over 100 two and three-bedroom family homes – including council properties.
However, it’s not all roses, as Verona reminds us that house price affordability is relative to the ‘earning potential on offer.’
In County Durham, the average income comes in around 14% below the UK benchmark, which suggests that the affordability constraints may well remain an issue for many buyers.
‘With high rents and low house prices, County Durham has also made for an attractive place to invest for many buy-to-let investors and the conversion of larger homes to HMOs has caused some challenges within local communities,’ Verona concludes.
‘Despite this, it remains one of the most attractive markets for those looking to make their move, particularly first-time buyers.’
Things to do in County Durham
Thinking of moving over? There’s no shortage of things to do in County Durham, from Durham Castle to Forest-in-Teesdale.
If you’re looking to try a spot of stargazing, there are 12 dark sky discovery sites in the Durham Dales alone.
Want to look at the cosmos in more detail? The Grassholme Observatory overlooks the Teesdale Grassholme Reservoir and has everything you could ever need to capture the perfect dark sky shot.
County Durham is also home to the Durham Heritage Coast, offering 11 miles of trails with ample opportunity to gaze out at the coastal views, including the limestone cliffs and surrounding wildlife.
If you’re into history, there’s also the Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland, which documents the last 6,000 years of religion in the UK through around 250 historical artefacts found across England, Scotland and Wales.
A version of this article was first published on December 30, 2024.
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