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Property investment stats for Saffron Walden, East of England

A complete guide to property investment in Saffron Walden.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Saffron Walden sits in the East of England with a property market that balances steady growth and reasonable liquidity. The area has seen capital values change by 1.2% over the last year, and over three years, the cumulative growth is 9.2%, which annualises to 3.0%. Liquidity is healthy, with homes typically spending 51 days on the market before sale, and there are 252 transactions a year, suggesting a market that is active but not overheated. Affordability appears moderate, with a price-to-income ratio of 6.4 and a rent-to-income ratio of 23.1%.

Rental yields are reasonable, averaging 4.4%, with the top-performing postcode district yielding 5.3%. The achieved price is typically below asking by a median of £5,000 (the typical achieved discount), indicating some room for negotiation for buyers.

Image of Saffron Walden, East of England

Key investment stats for Saffron Walden

Median price per sq ft

£426 / sq ft

Average rental yield

4.4%

Capital growth (1y)

1.2%

Sales in past year

252

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in Saffron Walden

Live prices in Saffron Walden, East of England

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£465,000

25% of properties below...

£300,000

75% of properties below...

£650,000

Most expensive property

£2,250,000

Live listings

173

Median days on market

51

Should you invest in Saffron Walden?

Opportunities

  • The average rental yield of 4.4% offers respectable income potential, and the top postcode district delivers even higher returns at 5.3%.
  • Capital growth over three years has reached 9.2%, with annualised growth at 3.0%, suggesting steady long-term appreciation.
  • Properties spend just 51 days on the market, indicating decent liquidity for those seeking to buy or sell.

Risks

  • The price-to-income ratio of 6.4 may limit affordability for some buyers, particularly first-timers.
  • The rent-to-income ratio of 23.1% could be a constraint for tenants, potentially capping future rental growth.
  • The typical sale price is below the asking price by £5,000 (the typical achieved discount), hinting at buyers' negotiating power or possible overpricing in initial listings.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Saffron Walden’s property market is likely to remain steady, with moderate capital growth and reasonable rental yields. The relatively high proportion of professionals and degree-educated residents (in the 70th percentile or higher) suggests ongoing demand from stable, higher-income households. With a lower population of young adults and a higher share of older residents (in the 70th percentile), the area may see less churn but more long-term owner-occupiers.

Liquidity should remain consistent, given the current 51 days and annual sales volume. While affordability metrics are not the lowest, they are not out of line for the region, and negotiation on price remains possible. Investors can expect a balanced mix of income and growth, but should keep an eye on affordability pressures and the potential impact on both rents and sale prices.

Live properties in Saffron Walden

Investment properties in Saffron Walden, East of England

2 bedroom retirement property for sale
52% below median price

£106,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom retirement property for sale

Farmadine House, Saffron Walden

Properties needing refurbishment in Saffron Walden, East of England
Needs Refurb
2 bedroom ground floor flat for sale
On market for 180 days

£200,000

2 bedroom ground floor flat for sale

Audley Road, Saffron Walden, CB11

Slow to sell properties in Saffron Walden, East of England
Slow to Sell
1 bedroom apartment for sale
Reduced by 17%

£100,000

1 bedroom apartment for sale

Custerson Court, Saffron Walden

Big price drop properties in Saffron Walden, East of England
Big Price Drop
1 bedroom retirement property for sale
52% below median price

£89,500 - Guide Price

1 bedroom retirement property for sale

Saffron Walden

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Saffron Walden, East of England
Low Price per Sq Ft

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

Typical discounts are limited but real — expect to achieve a reduction off asking.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £5,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £12,188 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £21,500 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 1.5%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 3.0%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 4.8%

Best places to invest in Saffron Walden

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1CB115.3%2.0%£419 / sq ft
2CB104.4%2.7%£428 / sq ft

Data sources

GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:

  • HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.

  • Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.

  • GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.

  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.

  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.

Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.