Richmond upon Thames has been named Britain's happiest place to live in Rightmove's 2026 Happy at Home Index, reclaiming the top spot it last held in 2023. The survey of more than 24,000 residents across 221 locations in Great Britain placed Harrogate second and Cirencester third.
Property prices reflect desirability
The borough's popularity comes with a high price tag. Rightmove reported an average asking price of £1,021,256 in October, with average advertised rents at £3,298 per month. By comparison, Harrogate's average asking price stood at £395,776, while Cirencester recorded £407,368.
Chorley, ranked sixth, offers a more affordable option with an average asking price of £234,387. Monmouth leads the rankings in Wales, and Kirkcaldy takes Scotland's top spot. Last year's winner, Skipton, slipped to seventh nationally.
Green spaces and convenience drive happiness
Eight of the ten happiest locations scored strongly for access to nature and green spaces. Richmond ranked first for access to nature, essential services, shops and restaurants, with residents also rating the borough highly for employment opportunities and local pride.
The findings highlight a balance between outdoor space and everyday convenience. Although 52% of respondents would ideally live somewhere rural, 66% want shops and amenities nearby. Similarly, 62% prioritise green spaces, while 61% value good public transport.
London finishes bottom overall
Across Great Britain, 81% of respondents said they were happy with where they lived, while just 9% described themselves as unhappy. The South West recorded the highest average happiness levels, with Greater London finishing bottom. Rightmove said regional differences were relatively small.
Within London, Kensington and Chelsea ranked 12th nationally and Kingston upon Thames 13th. However, several boroughs finished near the bottom, with Brent at 212th, Croydon at 213th, Harrow at 215th, Havering at 217th and Lewisham at 219th. Barking and Dagenham came last out of all 221 locations.
Older residents report higher happiness
The survey found that older residents tend to be happier with where they live. Among those aged 75 and over, 35% gave their location a perfect happiness score, compared with just 16% of 18–24-year-olds. Average happiness scores also rose with age, from 7.3 out of ten for younger adults to 8.2 for those aged 75 and over.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, said: "Richmond stands out for offering a combination many people value: easy access to nature and green spaces, without having to give up local services, places to eat and shop, or employment opportunities.
"That balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important. This year's results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren't simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both."
