Richmond upon Thames has reclaimed its crown as Britain’s happiest place to live, according to Rightmove’s 2026 Happy at Home Index. The index is based on a survey of over 24,000 residents across 221 locations in Great Britain.
The survey found that Richmond topped the rankings, ahead of Harrogate and Cirencester. Richmond also topped the rankings in 2023 and finished second last year.
Richmond’s Position Comes with a Price
Richmond’s position comes with a high property price tag, with an average asking price of £1,021,256 in October. Average advertised rents stood at £3,298 per month. In comparison, second-placed Harrogate recorded an average asking price of £395,776, while third-placed Cirencester stood at £407,368.
Chorley, which ranks sixth, offers a cheaper alternative, with an average asking price of £234,387. Monmouth leads the rankings in Wales, while Kirkcaldy takes Scotland’s top spot. Meanwhile, last year’s winner, Skipton, slips to seventh nationally.
What Makes a Place Happy
Green spaces play a significant role in driving happiness, with eight of the ten happiest locations performing strongly for access to nature and green spaces. Richmond ranked first for access to nature, essential services, shops, and restaurants, and residents rated the borough highly for employment opportunities and local pride.
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However, greenery alone does not explain the results. While 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.
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. Greater London, meanwhile, finished bottom.
Within London, Kensington and Chelsea ranked 12th nationally, followed by Kingston upon Thames in 13th place. However, several other London boroughs finished near the bottom, with Barking and Dagenham coming last out of all 221 locations.
According to Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, “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.”
The survey also found that older residents tend to be happier with where they live, with 35% of those aged 75 and over awarding their location a perfect happiness score. Average happiness scores also increased with age, with younger adults recording an average of 7.3 out of ten, compared to 8.2 for those aged 75 and over. By comparison, just 16% of 18–24-year-olds gave the same rating, highlighting a significant age-related difference in happiness levels.
