Updated for 2026 with the latest government data

Best Places to Live in Yorkshire and The Humber

Yorkshire offers incredible variety: the vibrant cities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York; the stunning Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors; and historic market towns like Harrogate and Skipton. Leeds has emerged as a major financial and legal centre, while Sheffield's tech sector is growing rapidly.

£200,000

Avg. Property Price

£700/mo

Avg. Monthly Rent

5.5 million

Population

50+ Mbps

Avg. Broadband Speed

Why Live in Yorkshire and The Humber?

Leeds is the UK's largest financial centre outside London

York regularly named one of the best places to live in the UK

Three national parks within easy reach

Property prices well below the national average, especially in Sheffield and Bradford

Living Costs at a Glance

Property

£200,000

Average purchase price

Rent

£700/mo

Average monthly rent

Council Tax

£1,400-£1,800/yr

(Band D)

Safety

Around national average

vs national average

Key Industries

Finance and legal (Leeds), advanced manufacturing (Sheffield), tourism, NHS

Transport Links

LNER/Transpennine to London (2-2.5 hours), Leeds Bradford Airport, M62/M1/A1(M)

Top Areas in Yorkshire and The Humber

Detailed profiles of the most popular towns and cities, with links to full area reports.

1

Leeds

£230,000

Major financial and legal centre with a booming property market. The city centre has seen massive investment, and suburbs like Roundhay, Headingley, and Horsforth are popular with families.

Finance jobs and city livingBest for: Professionals and investors
2

Sheffield

£190,000

The 'Steel City' reinvented as a creative and tech hub. Two universities, excellent green spaces (a third of the city is in the Peak District), and very affordable property.

Green space and affordabilityBest for: Outdoor lovers and students
3

York

£310,000

Historic walled city consistently rated one of the UK's best places to live. Excellent schools, low crime, strong tourism economy, and beautiful architecture at every turn.

Heritage, safety, and schoolsBest for: Families and heritage lovers

More Areas in Yorkshire and The Humber

Click any area to view the full data-driven report.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to live in Yorkshire and The Humber?

Based on our analysis of 20+ government data sources, the best places to live in Yorkshire and The Humber include Leeds, Sheffield, York, Hull, Bradford. These areas score well across crime rates, school quality (Ofsted ratings), property value, transport connectivity, broadband speeds, and environmental factors. Each town has different strengths, so the best choice depends on your priorities.

Is Yorkshire and The Humber a good place to live in 2026?

Yorkshire offers incredible variety: the vibrant cities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York; the stunning Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors; and historic market towns like Harrogate and Skipton. Leeds has emerged as a major financial and legal centre, while Sheffield's tech sector is growing rapidly. An excellent all-rounder. York and Harrogate suit families wanting character and good schools. Leeds and Sheffield offer career opportunities and nightlife. The Dales and coast provide stunning escapes.

What are average property prices in Yorkshire and The Humber?

The average property price in Yorkshire and The Humber is approximately £200,000 according to HM Land Registry data. Rents average around £700/mo. However, prices vary significantly between areas. Use PostcodeCheck to get exact sold prices and trends for any specific postcode in Yorkshire and The Humber.

What are the safest areas in Yorkshire and The Humber?

Safety varies significantly across Yorkshire and The Humber. Overall, the region's crime level is: Around national average. Our area reports use monthly Police UK crime data to calculate crime rates per 1,000 residents for every postcode. Search any Yorkshire and The Humber postcode on PostcodeCheck to see detailed crime breakdowns including anti-social behaviour, burglary, vehicle crime, and violent crime rates compared to the national average.

Which areas in Yorkshire and The Humber have the best schools?

School quality across Yorkshire and The Humber varies by area. PostcodeCheck analyses Ofsted inspection results for all nearby primary and secondary schools, showing the percentage rated Outstanding or Good. Enter a postcode to see the nearest schools, their ratings, and how the area compares to the national average for school quality.

What is the cost of living in Yorkshire and The Humber?

Key living costs in Yorkshire and The Humber: average property price £200,000, average rent £700/mo, council tax £1,400-£1,800/yr (Band D). Broadband speeds average 50+ Mbps. For a detailed cost breakdown of any specific area, enter a postcode into PostcodeCheck for energy costs, council tax bands, and local price data.

How do I compare areas in Yorkshire and The Humber?

PostcodeCheck's free comparison tool lets you compare any two Yorkshire and The Humber areas side by side on crime, schools, property prices, transport, broadband, and more. Just visit our compare page, enter two postcodes, and get an instant data-driven comparison. You can also check individual area reports for any UK postcode.

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About Living in Yorkshire and The Humber

An excellent all-rounder. York and Harrogate suit families wanting character and good schools. Leeds and Sheffield offer career opportunities and nightlife. The Dales and coast provide stunning escapes.

The average property price in Yorkshire and The Humber is £200,000, with rents averaging £700/mo per month. Council tax for a Band D property typically falls in the range of £1,400-£1,800/yr (Band D). Average broadband speeds across the region are 50+ Mbps, though this varies significantly between urban and rural areas.

Our area reports use data from 20+ official government sources including Police UK crime data, Ofsted school inspection ratings, HM Land Registry property prices, DfT transport connectivity scores, Ofcom broadband data, Environment Agency flood risk assessments, and MHCLG deprivation indices.

Enter any UK postcode above to get a free, comprehensive area report with an overall PostcodeCheck score (0-100), detailed breakdowns, and lifestyle-specific ratings for families, first-time buyers, commuters, investors, and retirees.