A significant shift in the geography of desirable living locations has been revealed in new 2026 rankings, with northern towns and cities now dominating what was once a list led by southern England. The comprehensive study by Garrington property services has crowned Marple in Greater Manchester as the best place to live in England and Wales, marking a notable departure from traditional patterns.
Northern Dominance in Desirability Rankings
The 2026 Best Places to Live rankings demonstrate a clear geographical realignment, with three of the top ten locations situated within Greater Manchester and five positioned across northern England. This represents a substantial change from previous years when leafy southern towns typically commanded the highest positions in such assessments.
Top Five Locations Revealed
Following Marple's top position, Rawdon in West Yorkshire secured second place, praised for its blend of landscapes and accessibility to Leeds. St Albans in Hertfordshire claimed third position as the highest-ranking southern location, described as a wealthy commuter town with premium schools and property prices. Bramhall in Stockport took fourth place, while Long Ashton in Somerset completed the top five positions.
Methodology and Evaluation Criteria
Garrington's comprehensive analysis evaluated 1,447 cities, towns and villages with populations exceeding 5,000 residents across five key criteria: natural beauty, wellbeing, heritage, schools and jobs, and value for money. The property services firm has developed an interactive tool allowing residents to assess how their own areas perform across these important metrics.
Marple's Winning Attributes
The victorious town of Marple earned its top ranking through several compelling factors, including excellent connections to Manchester city centre, a notably strong community spirit, and convenient proximity to the natural landscapes of the Peak District National Park. Despite average family home prices sitting at £517,119 - significantly above the English national average - compilers noted these costs remain competitive for a popular Greater Manchester location.
Property Market Insights and Trends
Jonathan Hopper, CEO of Garrington Property Finders, highlighted that while London's property value declines have captured headlines this year, the rankings reveal numerous highly desirable areas across England and Wales where homes have become more affordable over the past twelve months. "The price of a typical family home rose in 16 of the top 20 locations in our 2026 ranking," Hopper explained, "but all offer a strong combination of excellent amenities, high quality of life and good value for money compared to their regional markets."
Value Considerations and Market Conditions
Second-placed Rawdon demonstrated particular value appeal, with property experts noting that average family home prices there had decreased by 0.3 percent over the previous year to reach £451,094. Conversely, St Albans recorded the highest property prices within the top twenty locations, with typical family homes commanding £895,411. Hopper further noted that with the Bank of England base rate falling below 4 percent, mortgages have become more affordable, providing prospective buyers with greater flexibility to select properties that perfectly match their requirements.
Regional Performance and Notable Mentions
Towns within Stockport demonstrated particularly strong performance, dominating positions within the top twenty rankings. Locations narrowly missing inclusion in the top ten included Reddish in Stockport, Greater Manchester, alongside Epsom in Surrey and Tring in Hertfordshire. Hopper emphasised that while some places naturally rank higher than others, all 1,447 evaluated locations perform well in at least one of the five assessment categories.
The 2026 guide aims to assist prospective buyers in identifying locations offering the ideal combination of natural beauty, quality educational institutions and desirable living conditions, reflecting changing priorities and market dynamics across England and Wales.
