You can bag a house for £217,133 on average and enjoy a life by the seaCrosby has been named as one of the happiest and most affordable seaside towns(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

A seaside town near Greater Manchester which boasts cheaper than average house prices has been named as one of the UK’s ‘happiest places to live’.

With property prices rising in many parts of the UK, finding a town that offers both affordability and a high quality of life can feel impossible.

New analysis has revealed the UK’s happiest and most affordable towns, where wellbeing scores are above the national average and homes are priced at less than £300,000.

From coastal favourites like Whitby to countryside escapes like Ludlow, the findings show that smaller towns and seaside retreats often deliver better life satisfaction than big cities, all without the premium price tag, according to Tim Simmons at Regency Living.

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Amongst the UK’s happiest and most affordable places to live is Crosby in Merseyside, which is around an hour away from Greater Manchester.

The seaside town, which sits around six miles north of Liverpool, has been awarded a happiness score of 7.42 by its residents.

Crosby Beach boasts a gorgeous stretch of golden sand, backed with grass-topped sand dunes and dotted with the famous cast-iron statues, created by artist Antony Gormley.

There are views stretching across to the Wirral and North Wales, and thanks to its proximity to the Port of Liverpool, visitors can watch huge container ships and cruise ships pass by.

House prices in Crosby sat an an average of £217,133 over the last year, which is more affordable than the national average, says Regency Living.

The majority of properties sold in Crosby during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £322,573, according to Rightmove. Flats sold for an average of £179,023, with terraced properties fetching £227,167.

It boasts affordable house prices and an attractive lifestyle(Image: Jason Wells / Getty Images)The UK’s happiest and most affordable seaside towns:

  • Southwold – £287,938 (Happiness: 7.86)
  • Woolacombe – £283,913 (Happiness: 7.56)
  • St Ives – £281,471 (Happiness: 7.51)
  • Whitby – £272,463 (Happiness: 7.57)
  • Margate – £269,525 (Happiness: 7.69)
  • Tenby – £221,445 (Happiness: 7.55)
  • Crosby – £217,133 (Happiness: 7.42)
  • Skegness – £208,955 (Happiness: 7.66)
  • Porthmadog – £196,584 (Happiness: 7.51)

The UK’s happiest and most affordable market towns:

  • Ludlow – £282,436 (Happiness: 7.66)
  • Knaresborough – £272,463 (Happiness: 7.57)
  • Stamford – £256,332 (Happiness: 7.60)
  • Builth Wells – £231,249 (Happiness: 7.45)
  • Bangor – £209,254 (Happiness: 7.41)
  • Alnwick – £199,966 (Happiness: 7.56)
  • Morpeth – £199,966 (Happiness: 7.56)
  • Keswick – £164,580 (Happiness: 7.50)
  • Dumfries – £161,234 (Happiness: 7.63)

Regency Living’s analysis shows that countryside towns and seaside towns consistently outperform cities (7.24) when it comes to life satisfaction.

“With property costs climbing across much of the UK, it’s easy to assume that happiness is a luxury reserved for the wealthy,” says Tim.

“But these towns prove otherwise. People aren’t just chasing square footage, they want space, serenity, and community, and they’re finding it in smaller towns and coastal retreats without having to break the bank.”

The analysis reflects a growing post-pandemic trend as buyers are prioritising lifestyle over location. Relocators, over-50s, and retirees are leading the move, drawn to places that promise not just affordability, but a slower pace of life, walkable streets, and access to nature.

“Peaceful streets, walkable areas, and natural surroundings all feed into higher life satisfaction. And the fact that many of these towns remain affordable makes them especially appealing for those looking to stretch their quality of life, not just their budget,” he adds.

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