The UK’s happiest place where average house prices are below the national average

"With house prices continuing to climb and the cost of borrowing remaining far higher than many buyers have become accustomed to, it’s understandable that those in search of a home in 2025 may currently have a case of the January blues"
- Adam Day - eXp UK

eXp UK research has revealed that North Kesteven is the best pocket of the UK property market for homebuyers looking to beat the January blues without breaking the bank, with the area ranked as the happiest place to live with an average property price below the national benchmark.

The figures show that the UK as a whole has a happiness score of 7.39, whilst the average cost of a home currently stands at £292,059.

The happiest place in the UK? North Kesteven in the East Midlands, boasts a happiness score of 8.09. What’s more, the average value of a home is £257,199, some -12% more affordable than the wider UK average.

Malvern Hills in the West Midlands is the second happiest place in the UK with a score of 8.06, however, at £329,679, the average cost of a home is some 13% higher than the UK average. Instead, homebuyers should look to Pendle in the North West, also boasting a happiness score of 8.06, but with an average house price half that of the UK average at £146,516.

Cannock Chase, also in the West Midlands, boasts a happiness score of 8.04, whilst the average value of a home is -21% below the UK average.

Mid Ulster in Northern Ireland and Highland in Scotland are also amongst some of the happiest places to live in the UK, where the average value of a home comes in -38% and -25% below the UK average respectively.

However, homebuyers with a case of the January blues would do well to steer clear of Adur in the South East. At 6.16, it ranks as the least happy area of the UK and, what’s more, the average house price of £370,796 is 27% more than the UK average.

“With house prices continuing to climb and the cost of borrowing remaining far higher than many buyers have become accustomed to, it’s understandable that those in search of a home in 2025 may currently have a case of the January blues," noted Head of eXp UK, Adam Day, adding "The good news is that when it comes to the happiest places in the UK, a good proportion also boast a more affordable property price tag when compared to the national benchmark and, in fact, 5 of the top 10 happiest places are home to more affordable property prices.”