If you’re a landlord or property investor, identifying the right areas to grow your portfolio is key to maximising both rental yields and long-term capital growth. Rising demand for affordable, well-connected housing is creating lucrative opportunities outside of overstretched city centres.

Commuter towns with lower property prices, strong transport links, and thriving local economies are becoming highly desirable for professionals and families. This trend is particularly pronounced in the North and Midlands, where investors can benefit from affordable entry points and robust rental demand.

Recent analysis from Pepper Money sheds light on the UK’s most commuter-friendly areas, offering valuable insight into where landlords and letting agents should consider investing or expanding.

Northern Towns Lead the Way for Commuters

Pepper Money’s data reveals a clear northern advantage, with Sheffield and its surrounding towns dominating the rankings as some of the most appealing commuter hubs for professionals.

With rising housing costs in major city centres and escalating rail fares, towns that combine affordability with strong transport links are seeing increased demand. Among the findings, South Yorkshire is particularly notable, with three Sheffield-linked towns appearing in the UK’s top ten commuter-friendly locations.

Rotherham tops the list with a remarkable score of 358 out of 469, offering low property prices, affordable rents, and fast rail links into Sheffield. Dronfield comes in close behind with a score of 324, while Barnsley ranks 8th.

Other strong contenders include Beeston near Nottingham and Penarth near Cardiff, which also benefit from great connectivity and thriving local economies. These areas are becoming increasingly attractive to tenants who want affordable housing without sacrificing accessibility.

Key Data Snapshot

City. Commuter Town House Price Rental

Sheffield Rotherham £193,000 £653

Sheffield Dronfield £301,037 £1,074

Nottingham Beeston £295,260 £1,078

Cardiff Penarth £364,349 £1,408

Leeds Pudsey £246,915 £1,210

Manchester Stalybridge £244,877 £923.

Nottingham. Long Eaton £235,982 £1,092

Sheffield Barnsley £170,000 £642

Liverpool Widnes £226,847 £986.

Nottingham Ilkeston. £193,573 £1,095

Manchester Stockport £307,000 £1,051

Why These Towns Are a Smart Bet for Landlords

For landlords and letting agents, these commuter towns offer a unique blend of benefits:

• High Tenant Demand: Affordable rents and quick commuting times attract professionals, families, and first-time renters.

• Strong Yields: Property prices are below the national average while rental rates remain competitive, offering excellent ROI potential.

• Future Growth: Infrastructure development and thriving local economies support sustained property value appreciation.

Whether you already own properties in these areas or are exploring new opportunities, these locations represent some of the most promising markets for landlords looking to grow.

Attention Landlords and Letting Agents

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