Plymouth’s property market never sits still for long. Some streets in the city have become hotter property than a last-minute Glastonbury ticket. But, if we step back and take a sceptical look at how house prices here compare with nearby towns, a far more colourful story starts to unfold. You can almost feel the tug of the Cornish border, with values shifting as quickly as the breeze off the Hoe.

What strikes us right away? The diversity in average prices on Plymouth’s doorstep is nothing short of remarkable. A handful of smaller neighbouring towns, like Kingsbridge and Totnes, command prices nudging towards or even surpassing the £390,000 mark. It’s a steep ask, especially for first-time buyers or families looking to upgrade. In towns like these, you’re often paying for that slice of postcard countryside, peaceful lanes, or a getaway-to-the-sea feeling that daily life in Plymouth doesn’t always deliver.

• Demand surges in “destination” towns: Lively market towns such as Totnes and Kingsbridge are prime targets for buyers from outside the region, London leavers, or the quietly ambitious, often driving up prices beyond what many locals can stomach.
• Local affordability wins in places like Liskeard and Saltash: These towns typically float around the mid- to lower end for price, keeping them attractive for those priced out of the so-called “hotspots.” Easy rail links help, as does a slightly quieter lifestyle pace.
• Transaction volume can surprise: Ivybridge stands out with a surprisingly high 2,055 transactions. That’s lively by South West standards. High transaction counts like these often point to family upsizers, job relocations, or a steady movement of seasoned locals cashing in and moving on.

Then again, the rural premium is very real. If you’re eyeing up a characterful cottage in a scenic Dartmoor village, be prepared for a price tag that’s steeper than the hills above Yelverton. The allure of countryside schools, fresh air, and that “Friday night at the pub” charm doesn’t seem to be fading.

At M0VE, we’ve noticed that many buyers flirt with the idea of moving one or two stops down the line—and for good reason. You can get more house for your money in Liskeard or Saltash, with less competition than in the more headline-grabbing towns. The trade-off? Maybe a longer commute or a less buzzy Saturday morning.

What can we conclude?

1. Keen-eyed buyers should keep an ear to the ground. There’s a pattern: lower prices often mean more options and simpler buying—but a little less limelight.
2. If you’re after a premium South Devon lifestyle, hot-ticket areas like Kingsbridge and Totnes invite top bids (and plenty of competitors).
3. High transaction numbers in certain towns signal strong local markets—not always the places grabbing headlines, but possibly easier if you’re after specific property types or want to move quickly.
4. Plymouth itself holds a quirky appeal: vibrant, relatively accessible, and never too far from countryside or coast. If you can stomach the competition, there’s plenty to love.

So what’s the core message? Plymouth and its neighbours bring a wildly varied mix of property price, pace, and character. Choose where your priorities lie, and you’ll find more than one sweet spot—if you look beyond the obvious.