It’s now official: Hartlepool tops the list as the most affordable coastal town to buy a home in England according to Zoopla. Situated along the wondrous North Sea coast, Hartlepool is rich in maritime history and offers a welcoming community vibe.
With its relaxed pace of life and a cost of living that’s easy on the wallet, it’s a place where both locals and newcomers can thrive. The town is well-connected, with excellent transport links to Newcastle, Durham, and Middlesbrough, allowing residents to enjoy coastal living without sacrificing access to larger cities. When it comes to housing, Hartlepool stands out: the median home value is just £106,340, making it within reach for many. For the average couple earning £66,175 a year, that means they’d spend only 1.61 times their combined salary on a property — a rarity in today’s housing market.
Hartlepool in County Durham is on a limestone peninsula that ensured its fishing harbour was sheltered.
It enjoyed funding from the medieval prince-bishops of the nearby city of Durham, which granted its charter in 1201.
In the Victorian period, Hartlepool became a port for the Durham coalfield, and exported coal and importing pit props.
In 1847, the West Hartlepool dock was added, and a new town was built next to it. The settlement grew quickly thanks to iron and steel, shipbuilding.
Nowadays, those industries have declined, and Hartlepool’s port is occupied in the most part with servicing North Sea petroleum fields.
The town also has a chemical industry.
In 2025, Hartlepool continues to stand out as one of the most affordable coastal towns in England. One notable example is a three-bedroom house on Wharton Street , currently listed for just £30,000.
This remarkably low price for a home in a coastal town offers a glimpse into the affordable housing market in Hartlepool — an area where properties remain accessible even to first-time buyers or investors.
The key to Hartlepool’s affordability lies in its unique economic landscape. While the town boasts rich maritime heritage and an attractive location on the North Sea, it’s also faced with economic challenges that have slowed the recovery of property values.
As a result, homes like the one on Wharton Street, though in need of refurbishment, present significant potential for investment and growth. For many buyers, this makes Hartlepool an enticing prospect for those seeking affordable properties with future promise.
The town’s property prices are lower compared to many other coastal areas in the UK, particularly those further south.
Hartlepool’s property market remains undervalued, creating an opportunity for buyers to secure homes at a fraction of the cost seen in more sought-after regions.
The low cost of living, combined with increasing demand for budget-friendly properties, makes Hartlepool an attractive option for those looking to escape the skyrocketing prices of larger cities.
