The town came seventh in a top ten list of locations offering a balance between house prices and local earnings, combined with high interest from home-seekers viewing properties online.
Dartford was one of only two towns in the south east to make the national top ten.
The rest were all in Scotland or Wales, where average house prices and mortgage costs tend to be lower.
Zoopla’s figures show that the average price of a three-bedroom home in Dartford is £423,600, with a house price to earnings ratio of 4.7.
This means the average home costs nearly five times the average local salary, a figure that still makes it one of the more affordable options in the area.
Dartford shares the same affordability ratio as Swanley, which ranked tenth on the list.
All the other towns in the top ten are located in Scotland or Wales, where housing is generally cheaper compared to wages.
According to Zoopla’s mortgage data, buyers in Dartford can expect to pay around £1,680 a month on average for a mortgage on a three-bedroom property.
That is significantly higher than the UK average of £1,210. Despite this, strong interest in homes in the area shows many buyers are still prioritising location and quality of life even in the face of higher monthly costs.
The study comes as many families across the UK report growing concerns about housing affordability.
A survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Zoopla and carried out by Opinium, found that 34 per cent of people do not believe they can afford to live in their ideal location to raise a family.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “The willingness of many to consider different regions or compromise on property features further highlights the adaptive strategies families are employing in today’s market.”
Mortgage rates have come down slightly in recent months but remain well above pre-2022 levels. The average buyer now pays around £1,210 a month on a £304,600 property. Those surveyed said they felt £870 was a more manageable figure.
Here is Zoopla’s full list of the ten most popular affordable towns for families, based on average listing views and affordability data from the first quarter of 2025:
- Glenrothes, Scotland. Average price: £136,900. Price to earnings ratio: 1.8
- Llanelli, Wales. £170,600. Ratio: 2.3
- Neath, Wales. £176,400. Ratio: 2.4
- Port Talbot, Wales. £160,300. Ratio: 2.1
- Wishaw, Scotland. £168,600. Ratio: 2.1
- Maesteg, Wales. £142,200. Ratio: 2.0
- Dartford, south east. £423,600. Ratio: 4.7
- Leven, Scotland. £164,600. Ratio: 2.1
- Larkhall, Scotland. £177,600. Ratio: 2.2
- Swanley, south east. £444,900. Ratio: 4.7
The data also highlighted the most popular affordable family locations in each region of Britain.
Dartford topped the list for the south east, with Barking and Dagenham named the most popular spot in London, where the average three-bedroom home now costs £440,300 and comes with a price to earnings ratio of 5.5.
Dartford’s strong showing in the rankings suggests it remains a firm favourite for those seeking a better balance in a challenging housing market.
