20 Cheapest Places to Live in Wales | Lowest Average House Prices from £112k
Wales' most affordable property location is CF43 (Ferndale) with average asking prices of £111,965, a remarkable 47% below Wales' average house price of £209,178.
Using the latest HM Land Registry sold house prices and current asking prices from estate agents and UK property portals, we've identified Wales' 20 most affordable locations where buyers can find exceptional value. Six areas offer average property prices under £130,000, with the cheapest starting from just £111,965.
Wales is 22% cheaper than the UK average (£269,735) and 28% cheaper than England (£291,852). Property prices range from detached houses averaging £326,985 to flats at £127,481, with the best opportunities concentrated in specific postcodes. The former industrial valleys of South Wales emerge as the primary region for affordable housing, with Ferndale, New Tredegar, and Tonypandy leading our rankings.
Our research reveals affordability ratios from 3.64x to 5.58x in Wales' cheapest areas, which is well below the UK's average of 7.1x where homes cost over seven times annual earnings. This means properties in areas like Ferndale cost just 3.64 times the local average household income of £30,800, making homeownership significantly more achievable than in most of the UK.
Our analysis combines current property asking prices, historical price trends, crime rates, population data, and local household incomes to provide a comprehensive view of Wales' most affordable property markets. This reveals not just the cheapest locations, but crucially identifies each area's safety profile and income-to-price ratios.
Through detailed examination of over 100 Welsh postcodes, we've ranked the 20 most affordable places to buy a home, complete with crime statistics, household income data, and regional comparisons.
Exploring other UK regions? Check our guides on the cheapest places to live in Manchester, most affordable postcodes in Birmingham, lowest house prices in London, and the cheapest regions across England.
Article updated: October 2025
Wales' Most Affordable Property Markets 2025
Analysis of Wales' 20 cheapest property locations reveals exceptional value across the South Wales Valleys and selected coastal areas, with asking prices ranging from £111,965 to £176,578 - representing 35% to 47% below Wales' average house price of £209,178.
- Wales' cheapest locations: £111,965 (CF43, Ferndale) to £176,578 (SA5, Swansea) across Wales' 20 most affordable postcodes
- Below UK average: All 20 locations are 35% to 59% cheaper than the UK's average house price of £269,735
- Affordability ratios: Wales' cheapest locations range from 3.64x to 5.58x annual household income, significantly below the UK average of 7.1x
- Regional breakdown: 18 South Wales Valley locations, 2 North Wales locations - South Wales dominates affordability with former industrial areas offering the best value
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by Robert Jones, Founder of Property Investments UK
With two decades in UK property, Rob has been investing in buy-to-let since 2005, and uses property data to develop tools for property market analysis.
Property Data Sources
Our location guide relies on diverse, authoritative datasets including:
- HM Land Registry UK House Price Index
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Ordnance Survey Data Hub
- Propertydata.co.uk
We update our property data quarterly to ensure accuracy. Last update: October 2025. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
Top 20 Cheapest Places to Buy a House in Wales
Based on current house asking prices and HM Land Registry data, these 20 Welsh postcodes offer the most affordable property prices. The table includes price per square foot to help identify genuine value. Lower figures indicate more space for your money.
| Rank | Area | Average Asking Price | Price per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF43 (Ferndale) | £111,965 | £128 |
| 2 | NP24 (New Tredegar) | £120,422 | £136 |
| 3 | CF40 (Tonypandy) | £128,414 | £151 |
| 4 | CF42 (Treorchy) | £129,901 | £145 |
| 5 | CF45 (Mountain Ash) | £136,965 | £156 |
| 6 | SA13 (Port Talbot) | £140,544 | £143 |
| 7 | NP13 (Abertillery) | £142,718 | £153 |
| 8 | CF41 (Penrhiwceiber) | £148,306 | £155 |
| 9 | CF39 (Porth) | £154,084 | £164 |
| 10 | SA1 (Swansea City Centre) | £160,307 | £201 |
| 11 | LL41 (Blaenau Ffestiniog) | £160,060 | £166 |
| 12 | SA11 (Neath) | £164,028 | £177 |
| 13 | NP22 (Tredegar) | £164,641 | £164 |
| 14 | CF34 (Maesteg) | £164,960 | £162 |
| 15 | CF37 (Pontypridd) | £169,855 | £189 |
| 16 | CF44 (Aberdare) | £175,001 | £184 |
| 17 | CF47 (Merthyr Tydfil) | £175,318 | £163 |
| 18 | SA5 (Swansea - Morriston) | £176,578 | £184 |
| 19 | CF48 (Merthyr Vale) | £182,488 | £194 |
| 20 | CF81 (Bargoed) | £183,763 | £200 |
Is Wales Cheaper Than England?
Yes, Wales is significantly cheaper than England. The average house price in Wales is £209,178 compared to England's £291,852, meaning Wales offers a 28% saving. For the average property buyer, this represents a saving of £82,674.
Wales also compares favorably against the UK average (£269,735), offering properties 22% below the national average. Interestingly, Scotland offers even better value at £192,050, making it 8% cheaper than Wales and 34% cheaper than England.
Wales vs England: Savings by Property Type
The savings extend across all property types, with flats showing the largest percentage difference. Here's how much you save buying in Wales versus England:
| Property Type | Wales | England | Saving (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | £326,985 | £472,789 | £145,804 (31%) |
| Semi-Detached | £208,617 | £286,969 | £78,352 (27%) |
| Terraced | £167,368 | £242,607 | £75,239 (31%) |
| Flat | £127,481 | £224,378 | £96,897 (43%) |
Flats offer the biggest percentage saving at 43%, making Wales particularly attractive for first-time buyers and investors seeking apartment properties, with Wales also topping the most affordable lists for apartments across the UK. Even detached houses in Wales cost £145,804 less than their English equivalents, a substantial saving for families seeking larger homes.
North Wales vs South Wales: Which is Cheaper?
South Wales dominates Wales' most affordable property market. Of the 20 cheapest postcodes in Wales, 19 are located in South Wales, with the South Wales Valleys offering the best value for money. Only one North Wales postcode (LL41 Blaenau Ffestiniog at £160,060) makes the top 20.
The former industrial valleys of South Wales, including Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, and Neath Port Talbot, offer prices 30-47% below the Welsh average. These areas were historically dependent on coal mining and heavy industry, which has led to lower property prices as the economy transitioned.
Top 5 Cheapest Areas in South Wales
| Rank | Area | Average Asking Price | vs Wales Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF43 (Ferndale) | £111,965 | -47% |
| 2 | NP24 (New Tredegar) | £120,422 | -42% |
| 3 | CF40 (Tonypandy) | £128,414 | -39% |
| 4 | CF42 (Treorchy) | £129,901 | -38% |
| 5 | CF45 (Mountain Ash) | £136,965 | -34% |
Top 5 Cheapest Areas in North Wales
| Rank | Area | Average Asking Price | vs Wales Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LL41 (Blaenau Ffestiniog) | £160,060 | -23% |
| 2 | LL40 (Llanbedr) | £220,401 | +5% |
| 3 | LL18 (Rhyl) | £223,320 | +7% |
| 4 | LL49 (Porthmadog) | £225,474 | +8% |
| 5 | LL36 (Tywyn) | £232,221 | +11% |
North Wales' cheapest location (Blaenau Ffestiniog) costs 43% more than South Wales' cheapest (Ferndale). This price difference reflects North Wales' stronger tourism economy, proximity to coastal attractions, and generally stronger employment markets compared to the post-industrial valleys of the south. Coastal towns like Rhyl at £223,320 offer more expensive options reflecting their seaside location and tourism infrastructure.
South Wales also features larger urban centers like Swansea, where certain postcodes (SA1 at £160,307) offer affordable city living with access to employment, universities, and amenities, making them attractive for both first-time buyers and investors.
Why is South Wales Cheaper?
Several factors contribute to South Wales Valleys' affordability:
- Post-industrial economy: The decline of coal mining and heavy industry reduced employment opportunities and population in these areas
- Population trends: Many valley towns show static or declining populations (0-2% growth compared to UK average of 7%)
- Housing stock: Abundant Victorian terraced housing built for miners offers good space at low prices
- Transport links: While improving, many valleys have limited direct transport connections compared to coastal North Wales
- Economic opportunity: Lower average household incomes (£30,800-£34,000) reflect fewer high-paying job opportunities
Despite lower prices, South Wales valleys benefit from proximity to Cardiff (12-25 miles), ongoing regeneration projects, and improving transport infrastructure including new railway stations and road improvements.
Safest Cheap Areas in Wales
Safety is a crucial factor when choosing where to live. Among Wales' 20 most affordable areas, crime rates vary significantly from 74 to 149 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. The safest affordable locations are predominantly in the Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot regions, with Treorchy, Penrhiwceiber, and Maesteg leading on safety while maintaining excellent affordability.
Top 10 Safest Among Wales' Cheapest Areas
| Rank | Area | Crime per 1,000 | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF42 (Treorchy) | 74 | 13,423 |
| 2 | CF41 (Penrhiwceiber) | 80 | 10,724 |
| 3 | CF34 (Maesteg) | 87 | 20,614 |
| 4 | CF45 (Mountain Ash) | 90 | 19,548 |
| 5 | LL41 (Blaenau Ffestiniog) | 91 | 6,471 |
| 6 | SA12 (Port Talbot) | 91 | 32,649 |
| 7 | SA11 (Neath) | 92 | 36,616 |
| 8 | CF40 (Tonypandy) | 92 | 20,541 |
| 9 | CF39 (Porth) | 92 | 28,840 |
| 10 | CF43 (Ferndale) | 98 | 11,884 |
Treorchy (CF42) offers the best combination of affordability and safety, with average asking prices of £129,901 and just 74 crimes per 1,000 residents. This represents the lowest crime rate among Wales' most affordable areas, making it an excellent choice for families and first-time buyers prioritizing both value and security.
Larger towns like Neath (SA11) and Port Talbot (SA12) maintain relatively low crime rates despite having populations over 30,000, demonstrating that affordable areas can still offer safe, established communities with good amenities and services.
Understanding the Crime Data
Crime statistics include all reported incidents from anti-social behavior to serious crime. The range across Wales' cheapest areas spans from 74 to 149 crimes per 1,000 residents, with most areas falling in the 90-110 range. Lower figures generally indicate quieter residential communities, while higher rates often reflect town center locations with more nighttime activity and commercial areas.
Most Affordable Areas Across Wales by Income Ratio
| Area | Average Price | Household Income | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| CF43 (Ferndale) | £111,965 | £30,800 | 3.64x |
| NP24 (New Tredegar) | £120,422 | £31,700 | 3.80x |
| CF40 (Tonypandy) | £128,414 | £33,000 | 3.89x |
| CF45 (Mountain Ash) | £136,965 | £32,500 | 4.21x |
| CF42 (Treorchy) | £129,901 | £32,100 | 4.05x |
This ratio is important for both homeowners and landlords looking to buy an affordable property investment. For homeowners, it indicates how achievable homeownership is on local incomes. For landlords purchasing a property investment, it helps assess local tenant affordability (based on local salaries) and rental demand, making it a key part of any property investment checklist.
All five of Wales' most affordable areas show ratios below 4.5x, making homeownership significantly more achievable than in most of the UK where ratios frequently exceed 7.0x or even 10.0x in expensive areas like London and the South East. Even more affordable Welsh locations like Newport at average sold house prices of £220,291 and Bangor in North Wales offer better value than most English cities.
Understanding House Price to Income Ratios
The house price to earnings ratio (also called the affordability ratio) shows how many years of household income it would take to buy a property outright. This is a crucial metric for understanding whether an area is genuinely affordable for local residents.
For example, if a house costs £120,000 and the average household income is £30,000, the affordability ratio would be 4.0, meaning it would take 4 years of total household income to buy the property.
How Wales' Cheapest Areas Compare
Wales' most affordable postcodes show affordability ratios ranging from 3.64x to 5.58x, significantly better than the UK average of 7.1x. This means homes in these areas cost between 3.6 and 5.6 times annual household income, compared to over 7 times nationally.
Affordability Categories
- Under 3.0x: Exceptionally affordable, rare in the UK
- 3.0x - 4.0x: Very affordable, typical of Wales' cheapest areas
- 4.0x - 5.0x: Moderately affordable, better than UK average
- 5.0x - 7.0x: Approaching UK average affordability
- Over 7.0x: Above UK average, increasingly challenging
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where should I avoid living in Wales?
Rather than specific areas to avoid, focus on matching locations to your needs. Some South Wales Valley towns have higher crime rates (100-149 crimes per 1,000 residents vs 74-92 in safer areas) and smaller populations with limited entertainment, transport and employment opportunities. The safest affordable areas include Treorchy (74 crimes/1,000) and Penrhiwceiber (80 crimes/1,000). Always check crime statistics, transport links, and local job markets before committing.
Q: Where should I retire in Wales for affordability?
For retirement, consider Treorchy (CF42) at £129,901 with the lowest crime rate (74/1,000) among affordable areas, or Mountain Ash (CF45) at £136,965 with good amenities and a 90/1,000 crime rate. Both offer 4.0-4.2x affordability ratios and are within 25 miles of Cardiff for healthcare access. Coastal North Wales options like Blaenau Ffestiniog (£160,060) offer scenic locations with slightly higher prices but some tourism infrastructure for lifestyle.
Q: Is Wales a good place for first-time buyers?
Yes, Wales is excellent for first-time buyers. With average prices 28% below England (£209,178 vs £291,852) and affordability ratios from 3.64x to 5.58x in the cheapest areas (well below the UK average of 7.1x), homeownership is significantly more achievable. Flats offer the biggest savings at 43% cheaper than England, starting from £127,481. Six postcodes offer properties under £130,000. The most affordable areas have mean household incomes of £28,000-£31,000 compared to £35,958 in Cardiff, reflecting fewer local employment opportunities but excellent value for commuters.
Q: How much money do you need to live comfortably in Wales?
In Wales' most affordable areas, household incomes of £30,800-£34,000 support homeownership with 3.64x-4.21x affordability ratios. To live comfortably while saving for a home, aim for £25,000-£30,000 individually or £40,000-£50,000 as a household. This allows mortgage payments, living expenses, and savings. Areas like Ferndale and Tonypandy offer the best income-to-price ratios for comfortable living on modest salaries.
Q: Can you live on £25,000 a year in Wales?
Yes, £25,000 annually is viable in Wales' most affordable areas. In Ferndale (3.64x ratio, £30,800 average income) or New Tredegar (3.80x ratio, £31,700 average income), this income supports mortgage payments on properties from £111,965-£120,422. Your £25,000 would exceed minimum affordability thresholds in these locations, making homeownership and comfortable living achievable with proper budgeting.
Q: What is the cheapest way to live in Wales?
Target Victorian terraced houses in the South Wales Valleys for the best value. They offer excellent space (£128-£164 per sq ft) at low prices. Focus on postcodes CF40-CF45 (£128,414-£136,965) for properties averaging under £140,000. First-time buyers should prioritise flats (averaging £127,481) for maximum savings, while families benefit from terraced houses offering 3 bedrooms under £140,000. Properties within 12-25 miles of larger employment centres like Cardiff, Swansea, and Wrexham maintain low housing costs while providing commuting options.