London is among the least desirable places to live in Britain for 2026

New data reveals Britain’s top destinations for the worst quality living.

New research by property information site Property Buyers Today created five categories based on data from the Home Office and Tripadvisor.

These include a culture score (based on shopping, nightlife, and more), a green score (based on the count and rating of nature and parks), a housing score (based on housing affordability), a utility score (based on energy and gas), and a violent crime score (based on the annual increase or decrease of reported incidents).

The five categories were given a score out of 100, which contributed to a final index score.

The locations with the highest final index score have been named the most desirable places to live in Britain.

London ranks 10th, with a final index score of 39.52 out of 100, placing it above several other major local authorities but still below the national average.

Despite achieving a relatively strong culture score of 51.75, supported by world-class museums, theatres, and entertainment venues, the capital struggles in several other areas.

Its green score of 32.83 reflects limited access to nature relative to its size and population, while a utilities score of 29.48, highlights higher-than-average costs for essentials. However, the city performs notably well in terms of safety, with a violent crime score of 65.63, ranking 8th nationally and making it one of the safer large urban areas in the study. Moreover, London ranks last in the nation for housing, declaring it the most expensive city to live in the country, followed by Oxford.

On the other hand, Slough is the least-desirable place to live. Based in Berkshire, the local authority has a culture score of 14.88 out of 100, the lowest score in the study, considering factors such as nightlife and shopping, both rated 2.83 and 2.5 out of 5, respectively.

According to Tripadvisor, there are also only six nature and park attractions in Slough for locals to visit. Therefore, Slough has a final index score of 28.18 out of 100, 44.6% below the national average.

Luton follows in second, with a final index score of 32.89 out of 100, which is 38.9% below the national average. According to Tripadvisor, the Bedfordshire-based local authority has eight nature and parks destinations with a rating 10.6% below average at 3.79 out of 5.

Additionally, with violent crime increasing at a rate of 0.02 per year, Luton has a violent crime score of 26.61 out of 100.

Hove ranks third, with a final index score of 33.78 out of 100. Basildon is the fourth least-desirable place to live, with a final index score of 34.82 out of 100, followed by Gillingham in fifth, with a final index score of 35.59 out of 100.

York takes the crown as the best place to live in 2026. Located in Yorkshire, the local authority has a culture score of 78.36 out of 100, including a 4.75 out of 5 rating for fun and games, such as family-friendly miniature golf and the prestigious York Racecourse.

There are also 43 nature and park landscapes, such as Rowntree Park and Museum Gardens, resulting in a green score of 100 out of 100. These factors culminate in a final index score of 70.75 out of 100, which is 38.9% above the national average of 50.90 out of 100.

Nottingham ranks as the second-most desirable place to live, with a final index score of 69.48 out of 100, 36.5% above the national average. The East Midlands-based local authority has a score of 80.98 out of 100 for utilities, with the average price of electricity being 3% below the national average at 23.91p per kWh.

Nottingham also has a housing score of 63.59 out of 100, as the average house price per square meter totals £2,553.53, which is 23.4% below the national average of £3,337.37.

In third place is Blackpool. Based in Lancashire, the local authority has 27 concerts and show attractions for locals to enjoy, 18 more than the national average, resulting in a culture score of 77.36 out of 100.

Violent crime is also decreasing at a rate of 0.04 in the local authority, compared to a 0.06 increase in Swansea, for example. These factors, among others, culminate in a final index score of 68.61 out of 100, which is 34.7% above the national average.

According to the study, Edinburgh is the fourth-most desirable place to live in Britain, with a final index score of 67.93 out of 100, 33.4% above the national average.

In the local authority, the average gas price per kWh is 0.8% less than the national average, at 6.18p per kWh, resulting in a score of 69.27 out of 100 for utilities. Additionally, Edinburgh is home to 50 nature and park attractions, including Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill, which is 85.1% above the national average of 27.

Newcastle upon Tyne is the fifth-best place to live in 2026, with a final index score of 66.07 out of 100, 29.8% above the national average. The local authority has a housing score of 79.31 out of 100, due to the average price of housing per square meter costing £2,358.50, 29.3% above the national average.

Additionally, Newcastle has a median energy efficiency score of 68, 0.6% higher than the national average, resulting in a utility score of 72.58 out of 100.

Next, Lincoln has a final index score of 65.81 out of 100, which is 29.2% above the national average. The local authority’s highest-ranking category is its utility score, with the average gas price per kWh being 1.6% below average at 6.13p.

Housing follows utilities, with a score of 74.59 out of 100, as the average price of housing per square meter costs 27% less than the national average at £2,434.20.

Liverpool is the seventh-most desirable place to live in Britain. With violent crime decreasing at a rate of 0.09 per year, the local authority has a violent crime score of 58.82 out of 100.

Housing is also 34.9% cheaper than the national average at £2,170.20 per square meter. As such, Liverpool has a final index score of 65.77 out of 100, 29.2% above the national average across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Doncaster ranks eighth, with a final index score of 65.10 out of 100, followed by Glasgow in ninth, with a final index score of 63.19 out of 100. Leeds is the tenth-best place for residents to move to in Britain, with a final index score of 63.15 out of 100.

Saif Derzi, Founder of Property Buyers Today said, “Choosing where to live isn’t just about property prices, there are many factors that go into living in a desirable area. Luckily, this comprehensive study takes all of those elements into account to reveal the best areas to live in the UK.

“This research shows that desirability varies significantly across the UK, with northern cities like York and Blackpool performing strongly due to their combination of a wide variety of cultural amenities and affordable housing.”