Average property price (Nov 2025): £441,227
Woking is one of Surrey’s standout commuter towns thanks to its frequent fast trains to London (around 25–30 minutes), strong local economy, and substantial regeneration pipeline.
The town has seen resilient price performance, with steady growth supported by solid buyer demand. For investors, Woking combines attractive rental fundamentals such as rising average rents and a professional tenant base with lower price points than prime Surrey locations such as Guildford.
However, while Woking property prices may be lower than other parts of Surrey, they’re still significantly higher than alternative commuter towns such as Luton, which has a £160,506 price difference based on average property prices. Higher average rental prices can also make living in the town less accessible for some renters, with an average £1,640 pcm rental cost according to Home.co.uk, compared to Luton’s £1,201 pcm average.
Chelmsford, Essex
Average property price (Nov 2025): £384,085
Chelmsford is a key Essex commuter city offering fast trains into London in around 30 minutes, appealing strongly to professionals seeking more space on the outskirts of London, while staying within an easy commute.
The area benefits from a strong retail and leisure offering, good schools, and a growing services‑led economy, which helps to support stable demand from both renters and buyers. For investors, Chelmsford provides a mid‑range entry point compared with cheaper Essex towns and more expensive Surrey or Kent hotspots, with potential for balanced yields and long‑term capital growth.
On the flip side, Chelmsford’s yields may be slimmer than in more affordable commuter markets, meaning investors need to be precise with purchase price and rental projections to ensure good returns. As more residents relocate from London, there is also the risk that continued price growth erodes the value gap that initially attracted investors, gradually narrowing the discount to inner‑London locations.
