Key Points
- Richmond upon Thames has been officially named the happiest place to live in Great Britain in Rightmove’s 2026 Happy at Home Index.
- This marks the second time in four years that Richmond has secured the top national position, having placed first in 2023 and second in 2025.
- Despite Richmond’s first-place finish, Greater London was ranked as the least happy region overall across Great Britain.
- The annual Rightmove study gathered responses from more than 24,000 individuals across 221 locations.
- The rankings evaluated resident satisfaction based on access to green spaces, local amenities, transport links, employment opportunities, and community pride.
- While Richmond led the national table, several other London boroughs finished near the bottom of the rankings.
Richmond Upon Thames (South London News) November 14, 2026 – Which London borough has been named the happiest place to live in Great Britain for 2026? Richmond upon Thames has officially claimed the top spot in the country, according to Rightmove’s 2026 Happy at Home Index, even as Greater London was ranked the least happy region overall.
How Was the 2026 Happy at Home Index Conducted?
The annual study by Rightmove surveyed more than 24,000 residents across 221 different locations throughout Great Britain. Participants were asked to evaluate how happy they feel about the areas in which they live. To determine the final standings, the index assessed several specific local factors. These criteria included access to green spaces, the quality and availability of local amenities, the strength of transport links, local employment opportunities, and a sense of community pride among residents.
Why Did Richmond upon Thames Rank First While Greater London Ranked Last?
Richmond upon Thames secured the number one position in Great Britain, marking its second victory in a four-year period. The borough had previously topped the national rankings in 2023 and held the second-place position in 2025 before reclaiming the title in 2026.
Conversely, the broader performance across the capital contrasted sharply with Richmond’s results. Several other London boroughs placed near the bottom of the 221 locations surveyed, pulling the wider metropolitan area down. Consequently, Greater London recorded the lowest overall regional score, making it the least happy region in Great Britain according to the 2026 data.
Background of the Happy at Home Index
Rightmove conducts the Happy at Home Index annually to measure resident satisfaction across Great Britain’s towns, cities, and boroughs. By polling tens of thousands of individuals each year, the study tracks shifts in how communities perceive their local environments over time, highlighting consistent high performers such as Richmond upon Thames alongside broader regional disparities between outer green boroughs and the wider capital.
Predictions for London Residents and the Housing Market
The 2026 findings are likely to reinforce buyer and renter interest in Richmond upon Thames, as prospective movers frequently consult quality-of-life metrics when evaluating access to green spaces, transport, and local amenities. At the same time, the contrast between Richmond’s top ranking and Greater London’s position as the least happy region overall may prompt local councils and urban planners in lower-ranking boroughs to examine deficits in community infrastructure, amenities, and public spaces to improve resident satisfaction in future surveys.
