Best cities to live in United Kingdom (2026)
4 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Migrant acceptance (2016)
Path to PR
Edinburgh
72/100Manchester
71/100Brighton
65/100London
61/100Compare cities in United Kingdom
❓ Living in United Kingdom — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in United Kingdom?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Edinburgh ranks #1 in United Kingdom with a score of 72/100, and city-centre rent from around $1620/month.
What is the safest city in United Kingdom?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Edinburgh is the safest city in United Kingdom in our database, with a rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Edinburgh or Manchester?▾
Edinburgh scores 72/100 on our Livability Score vs 71/100 for Manchester. Rent is $1620/mo in Edinburgh vs $1703/mo in Manchester. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in United Kingdom?▾
United Kingdom offers the UK Skilled Worker Visa (complex process). Duration: Up to 5 years. Key requirement: Employer sponsorship required + minimum salary of £41,700/yr (or going rate for the role, whichever is higher). Route to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.
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