Swindon

Accessible housing costs and competitive pay make Swindon a pragmatic choice, though it sits squarely in the middle of regional performance metrics. A median house price of £280,000 creates a multiple of 7.1 times annual gross pay, which is more attainable than in many surrounding areas. While weekly earnings of £758.10 sit above the South West median, the cost of living remains a factor, with median monthly rent consuming 32.9% of gross earnings. Council tax is relatively lower than the regional median at £2,438, providing some relief for household budgets. The area balances these financial factors against a crime rate and deprivation score that hover near the regional midpoint. It suits those seeking a balance between affordability and proximity to employment centres without the premium costs found elsewhere.

Written from the indicators on this page, 2026-10 data.

Colour shows quintile position against 361 UK Local Authorities. Green is the best position for someone moving here; red is the worst. Direction is set per indicator — higher pay, lower rent, less crime, less deprivation are all green.

Swindon head-to-heads