Cardiff named in top 10 healthiest cities in the UK, according to new study

Health is often said to be our greatest wealth, but how much of it is shaped by the places we live? From access to green spaces and gyms to how easy it is to see a doctor when you need one, cities can play a huge role in keeping us fit, active, and well. With air quality, healthcare services, and lifestyle habits all varying widely across the UK, some urban areas have a clear head start. But have you ever wondered which UK cities are officially the healthiest?

A new study by The Lagom Clinic has looked at the numbers, examining 50 major cities across the country to see who’s truly leading the way in health and well-being.

To get a clear picture, researchers looked at 14 different metrics grouped into three categories: Healthcare & Environment, Health Outcomes, and Lifestyle & Behaviours. Each city was given a total score, combining these measures to create a league table of the UK’s healthiest spots.

Healthcare & Environment, which made up 30% of the score, included factors like air quality, pollution, GP availability, and pharmacy access. Health Outcomes, weighted at 40%, tracked cancer rates, childhood obesity, diabetes, alcohol-related deaths, smoking prevalence, and hospital admissions linked to liver disease. Finally, Lifestyle & Behaviours (30%) looked at physical activity levels and how easy it is for locals to stay fit, from gyms and sports centres to green spaces.

The study leaned on sources such as IQAir for pollution data, Cancer Research UK for incidence rates, the Office for National Statistics, and even TripAdvisor to help measure accessibility to facilities.

Top 20 list of the healthiest cities in the UK

Note: With the exception of “Total score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Best Air Quality in the Country – but Poor Childhood Obesity Levels

Cardiff came in 8th with a score of 53.72, and boasts the best air quality in the country, ranking 1st overall. The Welsh capital also has a fairly active population, with 66.2% of residents staying physically active, putting it 20th nationally.

But the city struggles with childhood obesity (22.4%, 28th place) and liver disease admissions (14.8 per 10,000 people, 29th). Still, Cardiff’s mix of seaside air, mountains nearby, and a booming cultural scene makes it an appealing place to keep healthy.

Meanwhile, Islington leads with 72.31, boasting the country’s highest physical activity levels (77.8%) and taking 1st place for green space and sports facilities. Oxford follows in 2nd (66.80), supported by strong GP availability (3rd) and pharmacy density (3rd). Edinburgh ranks 3rd with 58.85, topping the charts for childhood obesity rates.

Reading is 4th with 58.62, boosted by excellent cancer outcomes and liver disease admissions (1st). Bristol ranks 5th, scoring highly on physical activity (74.4%, 2nd). Milton Keynes sits in 6th, with low pollution (2nd) and smoking rates (2nd). Preston is 7th, excelling in low pollution and cancer incidence. Derby comes in 9th, excelling in GP and pharmacy access, and Manchester rounds out the top 10 list in 10th with top pharmacy density but weaker obesity and alcohol-related mortality figures.

At the other end of the scale, places like Walsall, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Archway, Blackpool, London, Mansfield, and Wigan lagged behind, all scoring below 36.

These results highlight how unevenly health opportunities are spread across the UK, and why some cities are leaps ahead in building healthier communities.