Hertfordshire’s enduring appeal provides investment alternative to London
London prices may have fallen by -3.3% in the past year but Hertfordshire leads the table for price growth in the capital’s commuter belt, with average prices increasing by 1.5% from £457,649 to £464,507, according to research from UK Property Development.
The county is one of the most expensive commuter counties surrounding London but still remains 14.3% more affordable than the capital itself.
Between February 2025 and February 2026, London’s average house price fell from £561,072 to £542,304. Prices in nearby Berkshire declined by -1.6%, while Surrey saw a drop of -1.1% and Buckinghamshire fell by -0.8%.
However, average prices in Kent grew by 0.1% to £345,239, while in Essex they rose 0.6% to £358,078.
UK Property Development believes Hertfordshire’s ongoing strength reflects growing demand from higher-end buyers. The county offers larger homes, premium living standards and fast rail and road connections into central London.
A premium commuter county
Andy Morrison, director of UK Property Development, said: “Hertfordshire has firmly established itself as the premium commuter county for London buyers and the latest house price performance reflects that strength.
“While many areas surrounding the capital have struggled to maintain value growth over the last year, Hertfordshire has continued to attract high-quality demand from buyers who are willing to invest in a market that offers both long-term stability and a premium lifestyle proposition.
“It is one of the most expensive commuter markets outside London, but that pricing is underpinned by strong fundamentals, consistent demand and a level of resilience that many neighbouring counties have not matched in the current climate.”
