New research by MoneySuperMarket placed Swindon seventh among English local authorities, giving it an overall score of 58.90 out of 100.
The study examined nine factors affecting family life, including housing, pay, childcare, healthcare, education, green space, travel, road safety and community.
Swindon was ranked behind Telford and Wrekin, Solihull, St Helens, York, Windsor and Maidenhead and Rutland.
It finished ahead of areas including Bracknell Forest, Northumberland and Leeds.
Telford and Wrekin took first place with a score of 61 out of 100, just 2.1 points above Swindon.
Solihull scored 60.99, followed by St Helens with 60.35 and York with 60.13.
Housing carried the greatest weight in MoneySuperMarket’s index, accounting for 28 of the 100 available points.
Travel, pay, green space and childcare were each worth 12 points, while healthcare and education accounted for eight points each. Road safety and community were each worth four points.
The research used information from sources including the Office for National Statistics, NHS Digital and NHS England, the Department for Education, Nomis and government datasets.
Childcare figures came from the 2025 Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers and were based on average hourly fees paid by parents for children aged two to four, excluding government-funded childcare hours.
Kara Gammell, Life Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, said:
“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 ranking comes shortly after separate research placed Swindon first in Britain for quality of life in 2026.
The Property Prosperity Index, produced by Sell House Fast, gave the town an overall quality-of-life score of 7.32 out of 10.
That study considered recorded crime, life satisfaction, green space, journey times to employment centres and broadband speeds.
Swindon finished ahead of Newcastle upon Tyne, Warrington, Milton Keynes, Ipswich and Oxford.
Councillor Gary Sumner, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said:
“It’s great to see Swindon receiving further national recognition as a place where families can thrive. While we’re never complacent and know there is always more to do, this report reflects many of the strengths that make Swindon such an attractive place to live, work and raise a family.
“Our town benefits from excellent transport links, access to green spaces, a growing economy and strong communities, and we’re continuing to invest in the services, infrastructure and opportunities that matter most to residents.
“Independent studies use different measures and methodologies, but it’s encouraging to see Swindon consistently performing strongly across a range of quality-of-life indicators. We want to build on that success and ensure even more people can share in the opportunities our borough offers.”
The two studies were produced independently and use different criteria and methodologies, meaning their rankings cannot be directly compared.
However, both have placed Swindon among the country’s stronger-performing areas across measures relating to everyday life.
