"For those already facing the high house prices associated with living in a major city, looking to the coast as a commutable option could see you save a significant amount"
- Steve Anderson - Yopa
New analysis from Yopa has revealed that homebuyers can make significant savings by opting for a coastal property within commuting distance of a major UK city.
The study compared average property prices in five major cities to more affordable seaside alternatives nearby, calculating the potential savings per minute of commuting time.
London: biggest saving per minute
Folkestone offers the most substantial discount for those working in London. With average property prices of £309,985, buyers can save £242,088 compared to London’s £552,073, a 44% drop.
With a commute time of 56 minutes, that’s a saving of £4,323 per minute. Factoring in flexible working and a £7,136 season ticket for three-day commuting, the cost difference could fund nearly 34 years of rail travel.
Manchester: Blackpool bargain
In the North West, Blackpool offers strong savings for Manchester commuters. Homes there average £136,917, £109,713 less than in Manchester (£246,630). With a journey time of 67 minutes, that’s £1,638 saved per minute of travel.
The three-day season ticket cost is around £4,336 annually, making the long-term savings especially compelling.
Newcastle: modest difference, low commuting costs
Tynemouth, a coastal town in North Tyneside, sits just 37 minutes from Newcastle. The average home costs £196,764 — £14,396 less than the city’s £211,160 average.
This works out to £389 saved per minute of commuting, with a metro season ticket costing just £985 per year.
Leeds: long trip, smaller gain
Bridlington presents an option for Leeds-bound commuters. Its average property price of £192,918 is £21,553 lower than Leeds (£214,471), giving a saving of £180 per minute. However, the commute is long, clocking in at two hours.
Bristol: short trip, solid saving
Weston-super-Mare offers a 29-minute commute into Bristol, and an average house price of £313,487 — £53,464 less than Bristol’s £366,951 average.
That translates to a saving of £1,844 per minute, with the benefit of a shorter, more manageable journey.
“Major city centres and the great British seaside are two areas of the property market that tend to be far less affordable due to the high demand for what is essentially a restricted supply of homes," comments Yopa's national franchise director Steve Anderson. "However, for those already facing the high house prices associated with living in a major city, looking to the coast as a commutable option could see you save a significant amount.
He added, "So not only can you enjoy the benefits of living along the coast, but you can do so without forsaking the higher earnings on offer from working in the city, and the money you do save on the value of a home can go some way in covering the cost of commuting.”
