Garrington Property Finders have released their ranking of the Best Places to Live for 2026 across England and Wales.
Their data analysts have identified nearly 1,450 cities, towns and villages across England and Wales that all score highly in at least one of five selection criteria – house price quality & value, natural environment, schools, employment & connectivity, heritage & culture and wellbeing.
A number of Derbyshire locations have been ranked highly, but some parts of the county also received poor ratings in the Garrington’s guide.
We have compiled a list of the places that have been named as the best to live in Derbyshire – and those that were among the worst – which can be found below. Each area was ranked out of the 35 Derbyshire and 1447 national locations included in the Garrington Property Finders ranking.
5. Derby
Derby was fifth in the ranking for Derbyshire and 207th nationally, with the following scores: Natural environment: 411 Wellbeing: 1,349 Heritage/culture: 173 Schools, employment and connectivity: 141 House price quality and value: 596 Average house price: £347,513. Photo: Brian Eyre
6. West Hallam
Derbyshire ranking: sixth National ranking: 211th Natural environment: 679 Wellbeing: 244 Heritage/culture: 1,151 Schools, employment and connectivity: 467 House price quality and value: 150 Average house price: £415,282. Photo: Google
7. Belper
Derbyshire ranking: Seventh National ranking: 252 Natural environment: 609 Wellbeing: 488 Heritage/culture: 568 Schools, employment and connectivity: 350 House price quality and value: 772 Average house price: £399,000. Photo: Brian Eyre
8. Borrowash
Derbyshire ranking: Eighth National ranking: 291 Natural environment: 1,077 Wellbeing: 423 Heritage/culture: 250 Schools, employment and connectivity: 224 House price quality and value: 900 Average house price: £388,101. Photo: Google