Single buyers can now get on the property ladder for under £300 a month – but only if they’re willing to move to these forgotten UK towns
Property group Zoopla has published a new report showing the pockets of the UK where getting on the ladder is surprisingly achievable – even for single people.
The research focuses on one- and two-bedroom homes, comparing average prices to typical single-earner incomes, assuming a 20% deposit and current mortgage rates.
While many areas demand monthly repayments well over £800, some lesser-known towns, often overlooked in favour of big cities or southern hotspots, bring crashing down, with some places available for under £300 a month.
Topping the charts for ultra-low payments are smaller, “forgotten” towns in Scotland and northern England. In Shildon, County Durham (North East England), the average one- or two-bed home is priced at just £64,200. With average local single-earner incomes around £30,400, this translates to monthly mortgage repayments of only £245, the lowest in the UK according to Zoopla’s figures.
Nearby, Stevenson in Scotland stands out as one of the cheapest overall, with average property values at £70,650 (less than double the local average salary of £35,473). Single buyers here could expect repayments around £270 per month, equating to just 9% of gross income.
Other affordable gems include:
- Workington (North West England): Average value £99,700, repayments around £381.
- Ferndale (Wales): Average value £93,900, repayments £359.
- Mexborough (Yorkshire and The Humber): Average value £104,500, repayments £399.
These spots benefit from house prices that have remained relatively subdued compared to surging southern markets, combined with recent improvements in mortgage rates and wage growth making solo buying more realistic.
“Buying a home can feel out of reach for many singles who have to rely on just one income. But rising incomes and lower mortgage rates mean that owning a home by yourself is increasingly possible in certain areas. It’s important to know that buying as a singleton is an option,” said Zoopla Executive Director Richard Donnell.
The north-south divide is stark. In contrast, southern cities like Brighton see average repayments topping £1,200, while London boroughs routinely exceed £1,000 even in more affordable outer areas like Havering (£1,166) or Croydon (£1,173).
For single buyers priced out of high-demand regions, relocating to these quieter, post-industrial or smaller towns could unlock homeownership far sooner, though it often means trading proximity to major job hubs and amenities for dramatically lower costs, Zoopla said.
