Stalybridge Stockport named among UK's best commuter towns

Two Greater Manchester towns earn spots in a national list for affordable homes and short rail links.

Stalybridge and Stockport Named Among UK's Best Commuter Towns

Pepper Money analyzed more than 60 UK commuter towns in 2025, scoring them on affordability, commute time, rail cost, salary and quality of life. Stalybridge ranks sixth with a score of 303 out of 469, an average house price of 244,877 pounds, rents around 923 pounds a month and a 12-minute rail ride to Manchester. The town’s typical salary sits at 33,297 pounds and its quality of life score is 7.6. Stockport comes in tenth with a score of 294, average house price of 307,000 pounds, rents of 1,051 pounds, a 10-minute commute and a rail fare of 3.30 pounds. Its median salary is 37,479 pounds with a quality of life score also at 7.6. Both towns are highlighted for a strong balance of affordability and connectivity.

While traditional Cheshire hotspots like Altrincham and Wilmslow remain popular, they are generally less affordable, helping Stalybridge and Stockport rise in the rankings. The findings suggest a growing appeal for suburbs that combine reasonable prices with easy access to Manchester, appealing to professionals and families alike.

The results reflect a broader trend: people want to balance cost with convenience. Lower housing costs coupled with short rail journeys can reshape budgets, savings and life plans. But rising demand in these areas could strain local services and transport networks if growth isn’t managed.

Policy and planning will face questions about how to keep housing supply aligned with transport capacity, while maintaining quality of life. The ranking is a nudge for smarter investment in rail links, affordable housing and essential local services in the Greater Manchester area.

Highlights

Growth hinges on how planners balance homes, transport and local amenities as demand shifts outward.