Swindon scores highly in MoneySuperMarket family-life index
Swindon has been placed seventh among English local authorities in new research by MoneySuperMarket, which assessed the suitability of areas for family life. The town achieved an overall score of 58.90 out of 100 after the study examined nine elements thought to affect family wellbeing.
The survey gave the greatest weighting to housing, with that single category accounting for 28 of the available 100 points. Travel, pay, green space and childcare were each allocated 12 points. Healthcare and education were worth 8 points apiece, while road safety and community carried 4 points each.
- Overall score for Swindon: 58.90/100
- MoneySuperMarket rank: 7th in England
- Top-weighted factor: Housing (28 points)
The research drew on a range of official sources, including the Office for National Statistics, NHS Digital and NHS England, the Department for Education, Nomis and other government datasets. Childcare costs were taken from the 2025 Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers and reflect average hourly fees paid by parents for children aged two to four, excluding government-funded hours.
“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,”
The comment came from Kara Gammell, Life Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, underscoring the study’s composite approach. Swindon finished behind Telford and Wrekin, which topped the list with a score of 61, and ahead of authorities such as Bracknell Forest, Northumberland and Leeds.
| Rank | Local authority | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Telford and Wrekin | 61 |
| 2 | Solihull | 60.99 |
| 3 | St Helens | 60.35 |
| 4 | York | 60.13 |
| 5 | Windsor and Maidenhead | (score not specified) |
| 6 | Rutland | (score not specified) |
| 7 | Swindon | 58.90 |
Locally, the ranking is likely to prompt discussion about strengths and shortfalls. Housing dominated the index’s weighting, so Swindon’s placement reflects a combination of house costs, availability and affordability relative to other measures. Travel links, green space provision and childcare availability also carried significant importance.
The MoneySuperMarket findings arrive soon after a separate index by Sell House Fast—the Property Prosperity Index—placed Swindon at the top of its 2026 quality-of-life list, awarding the town an overall score of 7.32 out of 10. That study used different measures, including recorded crime, life satisfaction, green space, journey times to employment centres and broadband speeds, and its authors noted the methodologies are not directly comparable.
For residents, the two pieces of national research may feel complementary. One emphasises the practical, measured elements that affect day-to-day family life, while the other highlights broader quality-of-life indicators. Together they provide a useful snapshot for people considering whether to move here, for planners assessing local services, and for councillors when prioritising investment.
Swindon’s position in the MoneySuperMarket league table will also be of interest to those working in housing policy and local services. With housing carrying such weight in the index, any future improvements to affordability or supply could have a pronounced effect on the town’s standing in similar assessments.
As the town continues to feature in national studies, local stakeholders are likely to draw on the data to argue for targeted action—whether that means expanding early years provision, protecting and developing green spaces, or tackling travel and transport issues that matter to families across the borough.
