Cheapest places to live in Essex
Essex’s 14 areas ranked by house prices — cheapest areas to buy. Every figure from HM Land Registry Price Paid, May 2026. Indicative, not a valuation.
| # | Area | House prices (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tendring | £270,000 |
| 2 | Colchester | £315,000 |
| 3 | Southend-on-Sea | £330,000 |
| 4 | Harlow | £332,000 |
| 5 | Braintree | £335,000 |
| 6 | Thurrock | £350,000 |
| 7 | Basildon | £352,750 |
| 8 | Castle Point | £362,500 |
| 9 | Maldon | £370,000 |
| 10 | Chelmsford | £400,000 |
| 11 | Rochford | £406,750 |
| 12 | Uttlesford | £460,000 |
| 13 | Brentwood | £500,000 |
| 14 | Epping Forest | £517,000 |
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid · May 2026. Ranked lowest first.
Other Essex rankings
5-year house-price growthPrice per square metreAffordability (price vs local earnings)Crime rateSchools rated Good or OutstandingGigabit broadband availabilityFastest train to the cityCouncil tax (Band D)Deprivation (IMD decile, 10 = least deprived)Air quality — NO₂Air quality — PM2.5Flood risk (in a flood zone)Life satisfactionUnemployment rateHome ownershipDegree-level educationResidents in good healthMedian age