Job opportunities, affordability and pollution levels are some of the key factors determining the best cities for raising a family in the UK.ย New research from comparethemarket.com has revealed what the top ranking locations are:
- Edinburgh comes out on top as the best city to raise a family thanks to its low crime rate (29.57) and low pollution levels (25.4)
- Aberdeen is revealed to be the most affordable location in the top 10 in which to purchase a property, costing ยฃ149,464 on average
Choosing where to settle down and raise a family can be a daunting decision, with many of us weighing up the pros and cons to find the perfect location to meet our modern-day priorities.
To help with the decision making, comparethemarket.com has revealed the locations in the UK which prove to be the best for raising a family, considering key factors such as house prices, average monthly salary, as well as job opportunities, air quality, broadband speeds, and the number of schools, museums and libraries.
Edinburgh takes the top spot as the best city for raising a family
The Scottish city of Edinburgh comes out on top as the best city to raise a family, partly due to its low crime rate (29.57), second only to Norwich (24.5) and its low pollution levels (25.4).
Norwich follows in second place and Brighton & Hove in third. Norwich boasts a great number of job opportunities (1,487) and schools (156) per 100,000 residents, while Brighton & Hove has the lowest pollution level (17.86).
| Rank | City | Current house price | Average monthly rent price | Average monthly salary | Job opportunities (per 100,000 capita) | Number of schools (per 100,000 capita | Pollution score | Number of museums | Number of libraries |
| 1 | Edinburgh | ยฃ316,864 | ยฃ1,377 | ยฃ2,142 | 387 | 31 | 25.4 | 50 | 73 |
| 2 | Norwich | ยฃ224,334 | ยฃ918 | ยฃ1,666 | 1,487 | 156 | 28.95 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 | Brighton & Hove | ยฃ407,783 | ยฃ1,982 | ยฃ2,220 | 746 | 55 | 17.86 | 18 | 9 |
| 4 | Glasgow | ยฃ164,382 | ยฃ1,069 | ยฃ2,206 | 304 | 92 | 34.91 | 50 | 101 |
| 5 | Reading | ยฃ311,620 | ยฃ1,437 | ยฃ2,611 | 922 | 47 | 27.17 | 6 | 10 |
| 6 | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | ยฃ180,027 | ยฃ895 | ยฃ2,021 | 681 | 43 | 26.85 | 17 | 35 |
| 7 | Derby | ยฃ185,925 | ยฃ723 | ยฃ2,614 | 782 | 58 | 26.92 | 9 | 15 |
| 8 | Aberdeen | ยฃ149,464 | ยฃ846 | ยฃ2,068 | 253 | 30 | 20.24 | 11 | 29 |
| 9 | Manchester | ยฃ210,534 | ยฃ1,260 | ยฃ2,166 | 1,460 | 49 | 48.08 | 35 | 42 |
| 10 | Luton | ยฃ262,956 | ยฃ1,198 | ยฃ1,767 | 370 | 45 | 22.5 | 13 | 17 |
* For the full data, please see here.
The most affordable city is also in Scotland
When looking at which cities will be the best for affordable living, Aberdeen is revealed to be the most affordable location in the top 10 in which to purchase a property, costing ยฃ149,464 on average. Meanwhile, Derby is the most affordable location in the top 10 for renting, with monthly rent costing ยฃ723 on average.
Although not featured in the top 10, Bristol has the highest number of job opportunities with 1,493 roles per 100,000 residents, as well as having the best broadband speed (80 Mbps), making this location ideal for remote workers as well as those looking for a new work opportunity.
Unsurprisingly, London doesn’t feature in the top 10 due its high cost of living, although is home to the greatest number of libraries (232) and museums (164). Glasgow has the second highest of these amenities, with 101 libraries and 50 museums.
Alex Hasty, director at comparethemarket.com adds: โOur research looks at some of the biggest priorities that modern families consider when deciding where to raise a family, whether youโre a parent, expecting or are planning to start a family soon. When taking this exciting step, itโs important to consider what kind of life insurance is right for you and your family, ensuring peace of mind for the days ahead.โ
More Info on the Best Places to Raise a Family UK
To see the full research on the best cities for raising a family in the UK, see here
The full report findings are available hereย
You may also enjoy reading about how overworking can keep you single and lonely
