Rightmove's June 2026 commuter-town analysis examined buyer enquiries per available sales listing. It offers a snapshot of interest in particular locations, rather than a guarantee of investment performance or a ranking of the best places for every household.
Where interest was strongest
Hitchin led the London commuter locations in the study, followed by Harpenden and Chelmsford. Hitchin received 96% more enquiries per listing than London itself.
The research selected towns and cities with populations of at least 20,000 and a rail journey of up to 45 minutes to a major hub in the relevant city. Demand figures referred to May 2026; the study used June house-price data and fastest peak rail journeys.
Know what the measure leaves out
Enquiries are not completed purchases. A fast station-to-station journey also leaves out the time spent reaching the platform and travelling from the destination station to work.
Build your own comparison around a normal working week. Check the services available at the times you actually travel, the return journey after a late finish and the route home if a connection is missed. Price the tickets you would use rather than relying on a headline fare.
Match the home to daily life
Visit the neighbourhood as well as the station. Consider storage, accessibility, local services and how the property works when you are at home. Treat historical demand as background information; your shortlist should reflect your budget and routine.
Editorial review: 16 October 2026. Original archive date retained; journey times and prices should be checked again before making decisions.