Commuting to Edinburgh could save workers £82,000
The analysis has been released by the Bank of Scotland
New data has found commuting to Edinburgh rather than living in the city could save workers £82,000.
Research by the Bank of Scotland found the difference in house prices between the capital and locations around an hour away would be enough to pay for the current annual rail cost (#2,299) for 35 years.
Homes in sites including Dunblane, Glasgow, Motherwell, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy cost £170,927 on average - £82,088 lower than the average price in Edinburgh city centre (£253,015).
A 30-minute commute could save homebuyers £80,671 with the average price for a home in places such as North Berwick, Dunbar, Livingston, Falkirk and Bathgate at £172,345.
In contrast, it is more expensive to have a longer commute to Glasgow.
A 15-minute commute from a town such as Paisley would see homebuyers paying £124,319, 29% less than the average house price in Glasgow city centre (£174,688).
An hour commute from areas including Edinburgh, Perth and Dumfries pushes house prices up to £227,525, 30% (£52,837) higher than in the city centre.
The study suggests Kirkcaldy is the most affordable town to live in for those travelling to Edinburgh, whereas Greenock offers the best value for money for Glasgow commuters.
Graham Blair, mortgages director at Bank of Scotland, said: ''Many people have a desire to buy near their place of work to escape the morning commute.
However, for some towns and cities, the premium this comes with can price out the average buyer.
With savings to be gained, it is an attractive pull for any potential purchaser to look further afield.''