The Scottish city of Perth has been named the UK’s best city for remote workers in 2025, followed closely by Leicester and York in England, in a new league table that reflects the growing demand for affordable, connected and liveable locations among the country’s rising remote workforce.
The rankings, compiled by digital services platform SmartMove.us, assessed cities across four criteria: cost of living, internet access, job opportunities and lifestyle quality. The analysis comes as the number of full-time remote workers in the UK reaches an estimated 25% of the workforce, according to figures from consulting firm Global Workplace Analytics.
The findings suggest a reordering of priorities in how and where people choose to work, with smaller and less expensive cities outperforming major urban centres like London and Edinburgh on overall experience and value.
Smaller Cities Climb as Living Costs Bite
Perth achieved a score of 28.9 out of 30, praised for its low housing costs, strong broadband infrastructure and peaceful environment. It topped the table ahead of Leicester (27.8) and York (27.3), both of which also ranked highly for digital connectivity and access to amenities without the price tag associated with larger metropolitan areas.
By contrast, London, while still inside the top 10, placed seventh with a score of 25.7, affected by high property prices and overall cost of living. Edinburgh, sixth on the list, also fell behind its smaller counterparts due to similar pressures.
The full top 10 cities for remote work in the UK in 2025 are:
Rank City Score (out of 30)
1 Perth 28.90
2 Leicester 27.80
3 York 27.30
4 Cardiff 26.95
5 Chelmsford 26.40
6 Edinburgh 26.05
7 London 25.70
8 Lancaster 25.20
9 Swansea 24.90
10 Gloucester 24.60
Cities were evaluated based on a composite of factors including average rent and utility costs, availability of high-speed internet, job market strength and indicators of wellbeing such as access to green spaces, crime rates and overall quality of life.
Quality of Life Central to Work Decisions
The shift in rankings reveals how remote and hybrid workers are increasingly prioritising space, safety and affordability over proximity to traditional business centres. As flexible work becomes embedded in workplace culture, location is no longer tethered to head office addresses. It’s a trend that has implications for recruitment, retention and wellbeing.
Tech analyst Jes Johnson, who contributed to the report, said remote workers now evaluate potential locations not only on digital infrastructure but on lifestyle compatibility.
“Remote work encompasses full ecosystem that supports digital productivity. Fast internet, affordable housing, low crime and a good work-life balance all play an important role,” said Johnson. “This is why cities like Perth and York perform so well. They offer the full package, not just office spaces and trendy coworking hubs but real infrastructure and livability.”
Johnson advised that for remote workers who are thinking about relocating, “we always recommend trying out a city with a short-term stay first. Then, use data like this to compare cities based on your personal preferences, whether it’s affordability, climate or digital access.”
Implications for Employers and Policymakers
The emergence of smaller cities in the rankings reflects broader shifts in the UK’s employment landscape. And it presents a challenge to employers and policymakers to ensure that regional infrastructure keeps pace with changing work patterns.
For employers, the findings highlight the need to adapt HR and wellbeing strategies to account for a geographically dispersed workforce. That includes considering local disparities in connectivity, time zone coordination, and access to in-person support or collaboration centres.
Meanwhile, city planners and regional authorities may view the results as a cue to invest in digital infrastructure and flexible housing to attract and retain skilled remote workers, particularly as economic activity becomes less centralised.
With job seekers now weighing up not just the role but where they will live while doing it, rankings such as these are becoming a useful reference point in the post-pandemic workplace.
The report follows growing evidence that remote working, when supported by the right infrastructure and routines, can improve employee wellbeing and productivity, but only if people are empowered to choose locations that suit their needs.
Regional Resurgence
Among the other high performers were the Welsh capital, Cardiff, which combined fast broadband with affordable housing and green space; Chelmsford, in Essex, praised for its commuter accessibility without London’s price premium; and Lancaster, a university city in Lancashire noted for its cost-effectiveness and community feel.
While London and Edinburgh remain powerful draws due to job density and global connections, observers say their lower scores in cost-efficiency and liveability may see more workers look further afield in the years ahead, particularly younger professionals, freelancers and digital-first start-ups.