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The towns where house price rises cover the cost of an annual rail ticket in just EIGHT days

House price rises in Esher, Surrey and Solihull, Birmingham mean that homeowners could pay for their annual rail ticket in just over a week

HOUSE prices are rising so fast that they could help commuters pay for their annual train ticket in just eight days, new research claims.

Homeowners in Esher, Surrey and Solihull, Birmingham fare best as they would be able to pay for annual rail costs in just over a week, according to the research by Zoopla.

 The top ten commuter towns according to average house price increases against the cost of annual rail fares to cities nearby
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The top ten commuter towns according to average house price increases against the cost of annual rail fares to cities nearby
Zoopla house
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This 5-bed semi-detached house in Surrey would set you back £1.1millionCredit: Zoopla

The average property price in the suburban Surrey area - where commuting into Waterloo takes half an hour - has gone up by £256.66 a day, a rise of 9.25 per cent.

Although, the average property price now sits at an average of 1.1million - so, prospective homebuyers would need deep pockets to afford a home in the area.

Meanwhile in Solihull, house prices have increased by 8.98 per cent - around £31,149 in a year or £85.11 a day - and the average price sits at £377,890.

 This 3 bed semi-detached in Solihull is going for £350,000
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This 3 bed semi-detached in Solihull is going for £350,000Credit: Zoopla
 This 3-bed terraced house in Cardiff is listed for £305,000
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This 3-bed terraced house in Cardiff is listed for £305,000Credit: Zoopla

It means that commuters would be able to pay off the cost of their annual train ticket in nine days.

The data compares the average increase in house prices in popular commuter towns last year with the cost of the annual rail fare to major employment centres nearby.

Esher is not the only London commuter location where house prices are rising. The research also picked out nearby Surbiton as well as Tanbridge.

 This 4-bed semi-detached house in Birmingham is selling for £265,000
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This 4-bed semi-detached house in Birmingham is selling for £265,000Credit: Zoopla
 The 3 bed semi-detached house for sale Surbiton is on Zoopla for £600,000
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The 3 bed semi-detached house for sale Surbiton is on Zoopla for £600,000Credit: Zoopla
 The ten best commuter towns where house price growth could pay for annual rail fares in a matter of days. Source: Zoopla
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The ten best commuter towns where house price growth could pay for annual rail fares in a matter of days. Source: Zoopla
 The 4-bed semi-detached house in Stockport is on the market for £255,000
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The 4-bed semi-detached house in Stockport is on the market for £255,000Credit: Zoopla

Despite boasting cheaper rail fares, lower house prices in Northern England and Scotland mean that it could take longer for homeowners to pay off the cost of their annual trail fare.

Stockport is the best performing commuter town in the north, thanks to a 8.46 property increase last year - adding £19,588 to the average house price.

 This 3 bed semi-detached house is on sale for £145,000 in Rotherham
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This 3 bed semi-detached house is on sale for £145,000 in RotherhamCredit: Zoopla
 The 4 bed semi-detached house for sale in Yatton costs £325,000
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The 4 bed semi-detached house for sale in Yatton costs £325,000Credit: Zoopla
 This 4 bed in Wiltshire is listed for £329,050
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This 4 bed in Wiltshire is listed for £329,050Credit: Zoopla

This means it would take 15 days to pay off the £792 annual rail fare to Manchester.

While Musselburgh takes the top spot in Scotland - where house prices would eclipse the £644 yearly rail fare to Edinburgh in little over 18 days.

However, property owners in Greenock, Glasgow face the longest wait, taking almost a full year (328 days) to pay off their annual travel.

Lawrence Hall, spokesperson for Zoopla, said: “Rising rail fares will have been unwelcome news for commuters heading back to work this week, but our figures may at least soften the blow slightly for those already living in the suburban locations at the top end of the table.”


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