Town just outside Greater Manchester named one of UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live

The UK’s happiest places to live for 2026 have been named, and a town just outside Greater Manchester is in the top 10.

Just as it has done for the last 14 years now, Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index, which explores exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlights the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year.

This year, thousands of residents across more than 200 locations told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community – from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.

The survey also outlines the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.

So, where do we have in the top 10 then?

Well, Skipton in North Yorkshire – last year’s winner – only ranked seventh in this year’s study, making way for Richmond upon Thames in London to take the coveted stop spot, but looking a little further down the list, you’ll find the Lancashire town of Chorley in sixth place.

Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.

The UK’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026

1. Richmond upon Thames
2. Harrogate
3. Cirencester
4. Monmouth
5. Hove
6. Chorley
7. Skipton
8. Llandrindod Wells
9. Horsham
10. Hexham

With a deep legacy rooted in the Industrial Revolution, Chorley is now a popular place to live full of amenities, good local schooling options, and convenient transport links – with an average property price of £234,387, and average rent costing £1,011 per month.

When it comes to the wider rankings, and the North West ranking as a whole, two Greater Manchester towns made it into the region’s top five, Stockport at number two and Altrincham following right behind at number three.

Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.

Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The 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.

Read more:

• Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ revealed in an eye-opening new survey
• Stunning refurbished Victorian villa goes on market in sought-after Stockport suburb for £2.35m
• Two unique North West homes named among most-viewed on Rightmove so far in 2026

“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.”

Featured Image – Matt Baker (via Unsplash)