New figures from the Halifax reveal that average prices in the town have gone up from £269,478 in 2014 to £314,175 in 2015.
This compares to an average 10.1%, or £21,000, climb across the UK to £230,672, and a 12% rise across London.
Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said: "Those areas that have seen the biggest house price increases over the past year are either in outer London or within close commuting distance of the capital.
"Demand in these areas has risen as rapid house price rises in central London in the past few years have caused increasing numbers of people to look for property in more affordable areas.
The London borough of Newham topped the list, with prices up by 22.2% over the past year to an average of £319,522 – only slightly more expensive than Leigh.
Bottom of the pile was Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, where prices fell by 3.8% to £103,983.