Five towns near Manchester have been named among the most popular UK commuter towns for buyers in 2026, according to new data from Rightmove. The property website analysed buyer demand based on the number of enquiries per property listing, focusing on commuter towns with at least 20,000 residents and a rail journey of 45 minutes or less to a major hub in the target city.
Stockport Leads with 70% More Enquiries
Stockport topped the list, generating 70% more enquiries per listing than Manchester itself. It was followed by Marple (14% more), Stalybridge (10% more), Rochdale (9% more), and Warrington (8% more). A Rightmove spokesperson highlighted the fast commute times: "Stockport is just eight minutes from Manchester Piccadilly, while Stalybridge and Rochdale also offer swift access at around 15 minutes, and Warrington offering a 22-minute journey."
Transport Frequency and Lifestyle Appeal
The spokesperson added that transport frequency is a key factor: "Stockport benefits from around six fast trains per hour, while Stalybridge and Rochdale offer four per hour. Marple is less frequent at two per hour but still attracts strong interest, likely due to its lifestyle appeal and picturesque setting on the edge of the Peak District."
Price Growth and Affordability
Price growth has been strong across most of the towns, with Stalybridge (+6.1%) and Rochdale (+5.8%) seeing notable year-on-year increases. However, average property prices for four out of the five towns were higher than the Manchester average of £261,891, suggesting lifestyle factors are a stronger draw than affordability. The towns and their average prices are: Stockport (£308,299), Marple (£383,404), Stalybridge (£267,772), Rochdale (£234,080), and Warrington (£271,078).
