Hemel named fifth happiest place to live in East of England and also makes Britain's top 100

Hemel is the 61st happiest place to live in Britain and fifth in the East of England region, accoring to Rightmove’s 15th annual “happy at home index”.

The Press Association reports that Richmond upon Thames has been crowned the happiest place to live in Britain in an annual survey.

It sits 60 places above Hemel, which was behind Woodbridge (15), nearby St Albans (16), Norwich (49) and Ely (54) in the East of England region rankings.

With easy access to central London and residents being able to stroll down the Thames pathways, spot roaming deer, and enjoy boutiques and cafes, living in Britain’s happiest place Richmond comes at a price – with the average asking price for a home there standing at more than £1 million.

Harrogate in North Yorkshire was placed second, while Cirencester in Gloucestershire was third, according to Rightmove’s 15th annual “happy at home index”.

Across Britain, four-fifths (81%) of people who took part in the survey said they are happy with where they live.

Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: “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.”

People took part in the research after being emailed via Rightmove’s database, so the survey was self-selecting.

Ian Harris, president of NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark, said: “For some buyers, being close to work, good transport links and a lively social scene will be top of the list.

“For others, it’s having a garden, good schools nearby or being able to walk to the local shops and know their neighbours. These priorities also change as people move through different stages of life.

“It’s also worth remembering that the most expensive locations aren’t necessarily the ones that will make everyone happiest.

“A home that meets your needs, within a community where you feel connected and have access to the things that matter to you, can be worth far more than an impressive postcode.”

Full list of Britain’s happiest places to live in 2026, according to Rightmove, with the average asking price for a home and the average asking rent per month:

1. Richmond upon Thames, London, £1,021,256, £3,298

2. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £395,776, £1,750

3. Cirencester, South West, £407,368, £1,633

4. Monmouth, Wales, £366,782, £1,395

5. Hove, South East, £476,115, £2,086

6. Chorley, North West, £234,387, £1,011

7. Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £304,033, £1,110

8. Llandrindod Wells, Wales, £234,417, £531

9. Horsham, South East, £470,577, £1,933

10. Hexham, North East, £317,332, £1,329

The happiest places to live within regions or nations, with the regional ranking followed by the ranking overall across Britain:

East Midlands

1. (ranked 45 across Britain) Loughborough

2. (113) Chesterfield

3. (149) Lincoln

4. (151) Derby

5. (163) Nottingham

East of England

1. (15) Woodbridge

2. (16) St Albans

3. (49) Norwich

4. (54) Ely

5. (61) Hemel Hempstead

London

1. (1) Richmond upon Thames

2. (12) Kensington and Chelsea

3. (13) Kingston upon Thames

4. (41) Westminster

5. (53) Wandsworth

North East

1. (10) Hexham

2. (65) Cleveland

3. (69) Darlington

4. (75) Newcastle upon Tyne

5. (132) Durham

North West

1. (6) Chorley

2. (19) Stockport

3. (20) Altrincham

4. (24) Chester

5. (28) Macclesfield

Scotland

1. (18) Kirkcaldy

2. (39) Perth

3. (40) Inverness

4. (43) Dundee

5. (47) Galashiels

South East

1. (5) Hove

2. (9) Horsham

3. (11) Windsor

4. (21) Guildford

5. (23) Hastings

South West

1. (3) Cirencester

2. (17) St Ives

3. (22) Weymouth

4. (27) Torquay

5. (30) Cheltenham

Wales

1. (4) Monmouth

2. (8) Llandrindod Wells

3. (50) Anglesey

4. (56) New Quay

5. (59) Swansea

West Midlands

1. (14) Lichfield

2. (25) Leamington Spa

3. (34) Shrewsbury

4. (36) Tamworth

5. (37) Sutton Coldfield

Yorkshire and the Humber

1. (2) Harrogate

2. (7) Skipton

3. (32) York

4. (68) Hull

5. (76) Halifax