Solihull has been named the second-best place in England to raise a family, according to a new study by MoneySuperMarket. The town, located just eight miles from Birmingham, scored 60.99 out of 100 in the research, which assessed factors including housing, pay, childcare, education, green space, road safety, and community.
The West Midlands town narrowly missed the top spot, finishing just 0.01 points behind Telford and Wrekin, which took first place with a score of 61.00. Solihull came ahead of St Helens in third (60.35), York in fourth (60.13), and Windsor and Maidenhead in fifth (59.91).
Pay and childcare strengths
Solihull stood out particularly for its pay and childcare provision. The study found that the average annual salary in the area is £46,896, while childcare costs an average of £6.29 per hour, giving the town a strong Childcare Affordability score. These factors contributed to its high overall ranking, despite being edged out by its West Midlands neighbour.
Telford and Wrekin, which topped the list, was praised for its overall balance of factors. St Helens in Merseyside, which took third place, recorded the best Education Score of the top three at 6.01, alongside a below-average house price of £182,923.
Healthcare and housing in the top five
York ranked fourth, with a score of 60.13, and was noted for its healthcare access. The city achieved the best Healthcare Score of the top 15 places, with 20.5 dental practices and 17.9 GPs per 100,000 people. Windsor and Maidenhead rounded out the top five with a score of 59.91, despite having the most expensive average house price among the top 15 at £584,743, offset by strong Pay, Road Safety, and Community Scores.
Full top 15 ranking
The full top 15 places to raise a family in England, according to the study, are: Telford and Wrekin (61.00), Solihull (60.99), St Helens (60.35), York (60.13), Windsor and Maidenhead (59.91), Rutland (59.39), Swindon (58.90), Bracknell Forest (58.60), Stoke-on-Trent (58.20), Doncaster (57.26), Warrington (57.13), Darlington (57.01), Calderdale (56.97), Northumberland (56.58), and Leeds (56.54).
Kara Gammell, Life Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, commented on the findings: "Telford and Wrekin topping the list for England highlights the importance of the everyday factors that can make family life easier, from access to green space and affordable childcare to having more room in the household budget." She added: "It's a reminder that quality of life isn't defined by one measure alone, but by a combination of factors that help families thrive."
Gammell also noted the role of financial protection for families, saying: "Wherever families choose to put down roots, having the right financial protection in place can provide valuable peace of mind. Life insurance can help ensure loved ones are supported financially if the worst were to happen, and comparing policies is a simple way to find cover that suits your family's needs and budget."
