Choosing where to settle down to raise a family is difficult for any parent, as some cities and countries have more to offer than others, but which UK cities are the best for raising children?
To find out, Comparethemarket’s life insurance team has analysed various metrics for the most populated towns and cities in the UK to reveal the best locations for people looking to settle down and start a family.
Middlesbrough is the UK’s top location for raising a family, with low rent, low pollution and high quality of life score. Aberdeen came second, with Swansea ranking as the third-best UK city for raising children.
| Rank | City/town | The average rent for a 3-bed property (£) | The average property price per m2 (£) | Pollution index (out of 100) | Crime index (out of 100) | Quality of life score (out of 240) |
| 1 | Middlesbrough | £600 | £2,300 | 20 | 44 | 197 |
| 2 | Aberdeen | £827 | £2,171 | 27 | 33 | 195 |
| 3 | Swansea | £1,000 | £1,395 | 24 | 34 | 187 |
| 4 | Stoke-on-Trent | £723 | £850 | 43 | 44 | 182 |
| 5 | Norwich | £1,157 | £2,350 | 37 | 26 | 184 |
| 6 | Leicester | £900 | £1,900 | 34 | 44 | 179 |
| 7 | Edinburgh | £1,188 | £3,231 | 28 | 30 | 183 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes | £1,320 | £3,000 | 18 | 50 | 201 |
| 9 | Cardiff | £1,070 | £2,200 | 33 | 37 | 174 |
| 10 | Newcastle upon Tyne | £933 | £2,228 | 33 | 38 | 179 |
How much does it cost to buy and rent in the UK’s top 10 cities for families?
It’s cheaper for families to rent in Middlesbrough than any other UK city analysed, with a three-bedroom apartment costing an average of just £600 per month. However, if you’re looking to buy rather than rent, Bournemouth is the most cost-effective city to purchase a property at £708 per square metre.
| Rank | City | Average rent for 3-bed (£) | Average property price per m2 (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stoke-on-Trent | £723 | £850 |
| 2 | Kingston upon Hull | £628 | £1,243 |
| 3 | Bradford | £825 | £1,463 |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | £600 | £2,300 |
| 5 | Swindon | £1,025 | £1,267 |
| 6 | Swansea | £1,000 | £1,395 |
| 7 | Liverpool | £873 | £1,918 |
| 8 | Bournemouth | £1,210 | £708 |
| =9 | Leicester | £900 | £1,900 |
| =9 | Aberdeen | £827 | £2,171 |
| 10 | Belfast | £856 | £2,400 |
Which UK locations have the lowest crime rates?
Our research found that Norwich has the lowest crime rates when compared to other UK locations in the ranking, with a low score of 26 out of 100. The Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen follow with 31 and 34.
| Rank | City/Town | Crime index score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich | 26 |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 31 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 34 |
| 4 | Swansea | 35 |
| 5 | Brighton | 37 |
| 6 | Cardiff | 38 |
| 7 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 39 |
| 8 | Plymouth | 40 |
| 9 | Bristol | 41 |
| 10 | Bournemouth | 41 |
Where are the least polluted locations in the UK?
We tend to associate better air quality with the countryside, which could inspire many parents to venture beyond major cities like London. Milton Keynes has the lowest pollution levels with an index score of 19 out of 100, while Middlesbrough and Swansea follow with 20 and 24 respectively.
| Rank | City | Pollution index score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milton Keynes | 19 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 20 |
| 3 | Swansea | 24 |
| 4 | Brighton | 26 |
| 5 | Belfast | 27 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | 28 |
| 7 | Edinburgh | 29 |
| 8 | Derby | 30 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 31 |
| 10 | Sheffield | 31 |
Which UK locations offer the best quality of life for families?
Milton Keynes also offers families the best quality of life, with a score of 202 out of a possible 240. Middlesbrough, which ranks number one overall, comes second with a score of 198 and Aberdeen follows closely behind with 196.
| Rank | City | Quality of Life Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milton Keynes | 202 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 198 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 196 |
| 4 | Swansea | 188 |
| 5 | Norwich | 185 |
| 6 | Edinburgh | 184 |
| 7 | Stoke-on-Trent | 182 |
| 8 | Portsmouth | 181 |
| 9 | Leicester | 179 |
| 10 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 179 |
Anna McEntee, life insurance expert at Comparethemarket said: “When we become parents, our priorities completely change and what were once important factors to us are no longer necessities as we grow our family, so choosing where to live can often be a difficult choice.
“Wanting the best for our families is a natural feeling, and life insurance can be a welcome safety net if you want to protect your family. Life insurance can be combined with other products, such as critical illness cover, to pay your bills if you are unable to work. It’s important to thoroughly research different types of life insurance to ensure the policy you opt for offers the right level of protection for your family.”
You can read Comparethemarket’s full research here.
