According to research from Lloyds, for first-time buyers, the average house price in these areas is £280,582, a rise of 26% in the last five years.
The report said the price of the average market town house was up 5% in the last year and 2% for first-time buyers.
The report said the growth may have been partially driven by the pandemic, as first-time buyers were able to cast their nets wider while looking for a property following the introduction of schemes like stamp duty relief.
Immingham in Yorkshire and the Humber had the cheapest average house price for market towns at £176,918.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea in the North East stood at £186,222 and Crook in the North West was pinned at £207,250.
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| Market town | Region | All buyers’ average house price 2025 |
| Immingham | Yorkshire and the Humber | £176,918 |
| Saltburn-by-the-Sea | North East | £186,222 |
| Crook | North East | £207,250 |
| Driffield | Yorkshire and the Humber | £240,658 |
| Chesterfield | East Midlands | £248,304 |
| Leek | West Midlands | £261,698 |
| Boston | East Midlands | £262,955 |
| Yeovil | South West | £268,838 |
| Newport | Wales | £274,398 |
| Market Drayton | West Midlands | £279,276 |
Leek in the West Midlands was the most affordable market town for first-time buyers, sitting at an average of £191,359.
This was followed by Chesterfield in the East Midlands, with an average first-time buyer market house price of £198,054, and Northallerton in Yorkshire and the Humber, which stood at £201,628.
Six of the 10 most affordable market towns for first-time buyers were based in the Midlands, while three were in Yorkshire and the Humber and one was in Wales.
| Market town | Region | First-time buyers’ average house price 2025 |
| Leek | West Midlands | £191,359 |
| Chesterfield | East Midlands | £198,054 |
| Northallerton | Yorkshire and the Humber | £201,628 |
| Selby | Yorkshire and the Humber | £202,092 |
| Driffield | Yorkshire and the Humber | £203,160 |
| Boston | East Midlands | £211,404 |
| Buxton | East Midlands | £224,896 |
| Newport | Wales | £227,784 |
| Sleaford | East Midlands | £229,197 |
| Grantham | East Midlands | £230,464 |
Andrew Asaam, homes director at Lloyds, said: “It’s no wonder market towns have stood the test of time with homebuyers, whether people are stepping onto the first rung of the housing ladder or are making a move to their next home. These charming locations are filled with historic landmarks and architecture, quaint charm and community spirit, offering a calmer pace of life, often within the reaches of bigger towns and cities.
“That ‘best of both worlds’ feeling has led to house prices in these areas holding up – in fact, the priciest market towns are amongst the most expensive locations, outside of Greater London, to settle into a home.
“It’s worth looking beyond the most popular spots, as some market towns are great value for money while offering the farmer markets, independent shops and community spirit that make these historic places so appealing.”
