As shoppers wrap up to explore the German Christmas markets springing up across the UK, the cost of living in some of England's more traditional market towns has been analysed by Lloyds TSB.
Birmingham and Leeds are set to host some of the UK's largest markets this Christmas, but it's England's smaller market towns that command a £30,000 price premium for those wanting to live there.
House prices in market towns are, on average, £29,319 (or 14 per cent) higher than their county average. The average house price in market towns, at £231,163, is 7.1 times average gross annual earnings.
More than two-thirds of market towns have higher house prices than neighbouring towns and a further 69 per cent of market towns have a higher average house price than their county average.
Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire has the largest premium with houses trading at 145 per cent above the average house price in the county. Wetherby has the next highest premium with prices 99 per cent above the West Yorkshire average.
"Homes in market towns command a significant premium over their neighbouring towns with the quality of life benefits often associated with living in such locations still proving popular among homebuyers,” said Martin Ellis at Lloyds TSB.
“Market towns are often particularly attractive for those looking to move into more idyllic surroundings without sacrificing many of the important amenities they currently enjoy."
Other findings:
• Beaconsfield is the most expensive English market town with an average house price of £736,585. Eighteen other market towns have an average house price exceeding £300,000. All ten of the most expensive market towns in England are in the south.
• Wetherby in West Yorkshire is the most expensive market town outside southern England with an average house price of £311,140.
• Ferryhill in Durham is the least expensive market town in England with an average house price of £98,799 in August 2010. Ferryhill is also the only town in the survey with an average house price below £100,000.
• Only ten market towns have an average house price below £150,000. Three out of the ten most inexpensive market towns are in County Durham.
