Here are the top UK locations for living and their associated costs

If you are considering relocating, here are the top UK locations for your home and their associated costs

You might be wondering where the best places to live in the UK are if you're considering moving or purchasing a home.

The decision to relocate and the pursuit of the most affordable UK residence can be influenced by variables like mortgage rates and home prices.

Potential buyers consider more than just price when evaluating a property's location.

In England and Wales, analysts at the real estate firm Garrington Property Finders have found that almost 1,450 cities, towns, and villages all have high scores in at least one of the five selection criteria: value for money, heritage, schools, jobs, natural beauty, and wellbeing.

In 2025, where will be the best places to live in the UK, and how much will it cost?

England's best places to live.

1. In Hertfordshire, Redbourn

In Redbourn, Hertfordshire, is St. Mary's Church.

Redbourn, Hertfordshire is home to St. Mary's Church (shown in the picture).

Redbourn, a picturesque village in Hertfordshire that is only 30 miles from central London and offers both easy access to the capital and a sense of rural charm, is at the top of this year's ranking.

Redbourn won first place by scoring highly on several metrics. This included ranking 11th in the category of natural beauty and doing well in the heritage, schools, and jobs categories.

A typical family home in the village costs 767,501, which is significantly more than the national average for England. Nonetheless, Redbourn's average prices have decreased by 8.2% over the last 12 months, placing it in 15th place for value for money.

2. Epsom, Surrey

The spa town of Epsom, Surrey, came in second in Garrington's 2025 ranking. In the 2024 Best Places to Live league table, the well-known horse racing town came in third place, demonstrating its consistent high rankings.

Numerous well-regarded schools and well-paying jobs in the area have contributed to Epsom's continued appeal, as evidenced by its seventh-place ranking in the schools and jobs category.

Even though Surrey has some of the highest real estate prices in England, the average Epsom home's price dropped 2.5 percent in the last year, placing it in 81st place for value for money.

Rightmove reports that the average price of a home in Epsom over the past 12 months is 569,045.00.

Rightmoves' analysis shows that semi-detached properties, which sold for an average price of 602,110, made up the majority of Epsom real estate sales over the past 12 months. On average, detached properties sold for 917,902, while apartments sold for 314,493.

3. Wear and Tyne Whitburn

The coastal community of Whitburn, which is ranked third overall, is claimed by the North East.

Whitburn has a lot to offer and has long been one of the most sought-after locations in the area. Its immaculate sandy beaches are the first feature. Additionally, the village is conveniently close to Newcastle and Sunderland, making the commute to work easy.

The village's closeness to stunning natural surroundings, including a National Trust coastal park with rare birds and seals and dolphins playing in the ocean, is a major draw.

In Whitburn, the average family home's price dropped 1 point 6 percent to 328,699 at the end of the previous year. In contrast, North East England saw a 6.7 percent increase in the average price of real estate in 2024.

4. Greater Manchester's Marple

Marple in Greater Manchester is a steady contender and is right behind Whitburn in third place. It has risen to fourth place overall in 2025 after placing 15th in Garrington's Best Places to Live ranking in 2024.

With two train stations nearby and central Manchester only ten miles away, the town is well-suited for local commuters. However, the area's rural setting, farmers market, canalside walkways, independent theater, and cinema provide a kinder, more rustic vibe.

Rightmove reports that the average price of a home in Marple over the past 12 months is 405,791.

Semi-detached homes made up the majority of Marple real estate sales in the past year, with an average price of 392,932. On average, detached homes sold for 583,378 while terraced homes brought in 294,680.

In general, Marple's historical sold prices over the past 12 months were 13% higher than both the previous year and the peak of 359,610 in 2022.

5. Albans, St

The most expensive place in the top 20 is St. Albans, which comes in fifth. The city of Hertfordshire, which consistently ranks among Garrington's Best Places To Live, barely lost out on the top spot in the 2024 list.

St Albans is a popular commuter destination because it is only 20 miles from London. The average-sized family home's price increased by 0.2 percent to 974,657, possibly due to the city's 2,000-year history and numerous reputable schools.

Wales' best area to live.

Penarth, Glamorgan's Vale.

Dawn at Penarth Pier in Penarth, Wales' Vale of Glamorgan.

Cardiff's downtown is not far from Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan has emerged as Wales' top place to live. Penarth is a seaside community only three miles from Cardiff's downtown.

With views of the Severn Estuary, the town features an Art Deco pavilion and a pebble beach. It ranked 31st overall for England and Wales according to Garrington's ranking.

However, Penarth really shines in the value stakes, taking second place in the value for money category.

Compared to other highly sought-after areas, this prime location offers good value, with a typical family home costing 502,497 after average prices softened by 51% in a year.

Scotland's best place to live.

Allan Bridge, Stirling.

Scotland's Dollar Glen is home to Ochil Hills.

Just below the base of the Ochil Hills (shown) is Bridge of Allan, Stirling.

Garrington's analysis indicates that Bridge of Allan, Stirling, will be the greatest place to live in Scotland in 2025. Bridge of Allan is located right at the base of the Ochil Hills and is home to the University of Stirling.

The town, which is conveniently located just three miles from Stirling's center, first became well-known as a spa town in the 19th century when individuals who were well-known, including authors, would visit to drink the waters.

The golf club and other sports facilities are now more likely to be enjoyed by locals, which has helped Bridge of Allan rise to 11th place in the wellbeing category.

At 245,544, the average price of a home in the area is higher than the national average for Scotland; however, prices have increased by only 4.8% in the last year, which is significantly less than the national trend and has put the town in sixth place for value for money.