Horsforth Tops UK Commuter Towns with Affordable Homes, Top Schools

Key Points

• Horsforth has been ranked the UK’s top commuter town and one of the country’s most underrated property hotspots outside London, according to a new report by cash house buyer Sell House Fast.​
• The report assessed areas across the UK using factors including affordability, commuting convenience, crime rates, school ratings, quality of life and local amenities.​
• Horsforth achieved an overall score of 7.05 out of 10, placing it at the top of the list of underrated property hotspots.​
• The report highlights Horsforth’s educational appeal, noting that just under three-quarters (74%) of schools within a five‑mile radius are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.​
• Lifestyle and leisure options are described as a major draw, with a total of more than 220 coffee shops, bars, pubs and restaurants within five miles of the town.​
• Broken down, this includes 22 coffee shops, 65 bars and pubs, and 141 restaurants within five miles, giving residents extensive dining and social options.​
• The average house price in Horsforth is put at £328,259, which the report says is notably more affordable than some of Leeds’ trendiest neighbourhoods.​
• Roundhay is cited with an average house price of £435,245, while Bramhope’s average stands at £537,503, both significantly higher than Horsforth.​
• The report praises Horsforth’s fast commuting times, positioning the town as an attractive base for workers travelling into nearby employment hubs.​
• Analysts for Sell House Fast argue that Horsforth offers a compelling alternative for buyers who want a vibrant local scene without paying a price premium.​
• The wider local authority’s median annual pay is reported as £31,450, providing context for the relative affordability of Horsforth’s housing market.​
• While the town’s house prices and crime risk score are described as slightly higher than in some other top‑ranked towns, the overall balance of factors keeps Horsforth at the top of the table.​
• The study positions Horsforth as both a family‑friendly location, due to its schools and amenities, and a strong choice for professionals seeking commuting convenience.​
• The findings are likely to draw further attention from buyers looking beyond London and the South East for value and quality of life.​
• Local estate agents are expected to seize on the report’s conclusions in marketing campaigns targeting first‑time buyers and up‑sizers.​

Leeds Times (Horsforth) January 14, 2026 – Horsforth has been named the UK’s top commuter town and one of the country’s most underrated property hotspots outside London, after new analysis by cash house buyer Sell House Fast highlighted the Leeds suburb’s combination of affordability, good schools and a thriving local lifestyle scene.​

How has Horsforth become the UK’s top commuter town?

As detailed in the latest report by Sell House Fast, Horsforth emerged as the leading location in a ranking of underrated UK property hotspots, scoring 7.05 out of 10 overall across multiple lifestyle and housing indicators. The research evaluated towns outside the capital and sought to identify areas that may be overlooked by buyers despite strong fundamentals such as transport links, schooling and amenities.​

According to the report, Horsforth’s performance reflects what the authors describe as a well‑balanced mix of factors that appeal both to families and to commuters, including competitive house prices relative to nearby “trendy” districts, as well as access to services and leisure options within a short distance. The town’s position within the Leeds area also allows residents to benefit from city‑level job markets while living in what the researchers characterise as a smaller, community‑oriented environment.​

Why does the report highlight Horsforth’s schools?

In the opening sections of the report, the authors note that “families will be particularly drawn to the area’s educational options”, pointing to Ofsted ratings as a key reason for Horsforth’s high overall score. The analysis states that just under three‑quarters, or 74 per cent, of schools located within a five‑mile radius of the town are rated Good or Outstanding, a level presented in the study as a significant selling point for prospective buyers with children.​

By foregrounding Ofsted outcomes, the report frames Horsforth not only as a commuter base but as a long‑term choice for households planning their children’s education, contrasting its strong provision with perceptions that high‑performing schools are concentrated in more expensive neighbourhoods. This emphasis on schooling places educational quality alongside transport and property prices as one of the core pillars of the town’s appeal.​

What lifestyle and leisure options does Horsforth offer residents?

The Sell House Fast analysis devotes considerable attention to what it calls a “vibrant local scene”, citing the density and variety of cafes, pubs and restaurants in and around Horsforth. Within a five‑mile catchment, the report counts more than 220 such venues, a figure used to argue that residents benefit from an urban‑style range of options while still living in a suburban setting.​

Breaking down those totals, the study lists 22 coffee shops, 65 bars and pubs, and 141 restaurants within the same radius, suggesting that the town can cater for casual meet‑ups, nightlife and dining across a range of tastes and budgets. The authors present this as evidence that Horsforth “delivers” in lifestyle terms, claiming that buyers do not need to sacrifice social and leisure activities when choosing a more affordable area.​

How affordable is Horsforth compared with other Leeds neighbourhoods?

On affordability, the report calculates Horsforth’s average house price at £328,259, positioning it distinctly below that of several better‑known Leeds neighbourhoods. In particular, the study compares Horsforth with Roundhay, where the average price is put at £435,245, and Bramhope, where typical values reach £537,503, illustrating a gap of more than £100,000 in some cases.​

The authors argue that these differences underpin Horsforth’s status as an underrated hotspot, saying this pricing allows buyers to access a “vibrant local scene” without paying what they describe as a premium associated with trendier postcodes. At the same time, the report notes the wider local authority’s median annual pay of £31,450, using this figure to underline that even in a context of modest incomes, Horsforth remains comparatively accessible for purchasers.​

What does the report say about commuting and connectivity?

While the published summary does not list individual rail or road times, the Sell House Fast report explicitly praises Horsforth for its fast commuting, stating that the town offers convenient journeys for those travelling to work. The authors present this element as central to Horsforth’s ranking as the UK’s top commuter town, arguing that proximity to key employment centres can be achieved without living in more costly inner‑city locations.​

In its commentary, the study characterises Horsforth as a “compelling alternative” for buyers who want access to the “buzz of a vibrant local scene” alongside the practical benefits of efficient daily travel. By coupling connectivity with a strong amenities offer, the report suggests that the town is well placed to attract both young professionals and established families seeking to rebalance cost and quality of life.​

How do income, crime and other factors influence Horsforth’s overall score?

Beyond housing costs and amenities, the report incorporates metrics such as crime risk and local earnings in its composite scoring system, which ultimately places Horsforth at 7.05 out of 10. The authors acknowledge that the town’s house prices and crime risk score are “slightly higher” than those of some other top‑ranked towns in the study, indicating that Horsforth does not lead on every individual indicator.​

However, the analysis argues that, taken together, the town’s strengths in education, lifestyle and commuting outweigh these relative disadvantages, keeping Horsforth at the top of the list. In that sense, the report suggests buyers may be willing to accept marginally higher prices or risks when balanced against day‑to‑day benefits such as school quality and access to services.​

Why is Horsforth described as an underrated property hotspot?

As set out in the Sell House Fast publication, the concept of an “underrated” hotspot refers to locations that have not yet attracted the same level of national attention as better‑known markets but already exhibit strong fundamentals. In Horsforth’s case, the authors argue that the combination of mid‑range prices, good schools, abundant amenities and commuting advantages has not been fully reflected in the town’s profile among UK buyers.​

The study implies that, relative to areas like Roundhay and Bramhope, Horsforth offers comparable or even superior day‑to‑day living conditions at a lower entry cost, making it a potential focus for future demand. By ranking the town first and highlighting specific numerical indicators, the report effectively brands Horsforth as a location with room for further growth in both popularity and property values.​

How might local agents and buyers respond to the findings?

Property professionals in and around Leeds are likely to reference the Sell House Fast analysis when advising clients, using the 7.05 out of 10 score and comparative price data to position Horsforth as a smart choice in a competitive market. For buyers, particularly those currently priced out of higher‑profile Leeds postcodes, the report’s emphasis on value, schooling and lifestyle could prompt closer consideration of the town.​

First‑time buyers may be attracted by the prospect of entering the housing market in an area presented as both affordable and future‑facing, while up‑sizers could see Horsforth as an opportunity to secure more space without moving far from central Leeds. The study’s description of the town as a “compelling alternative” for people seeking “the buzz of a vibrant local scene without paying a premium” is likely to feature prominently in future marketing materials.