Underrated UK city is the 'best in the country' - it's not where you'd expect

Dunfermline in Fife, Scotland, has been crowned the number one best value city in the UK, beating out the likes of Leeds and Cardiff, according to a new list

Dunfermline, once the ancient capital of Scotland, has also been crowned the UK's number one best value city. Despite only gaining its official city status in 2022 as part of the celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Dunfermline outshone competitors such as Leeds and Cardiff to clinch the top spot on The Telegraph's list of best value cities back in 2024.

Savills' research positions Dunfermline as the most appealing and affordable city for recent graduates, especially during the current cost of living crisis. Newcastle, Salford, Leeds, and Cardiff complete the list of the top five most affordable cities in the country.

Dunfermline boasts the winning mix of "well-paid jobs, comparatively low house prices, a favourable ratio of property costs to household income and somewhere which is teeming with culture and amenities".

While Aberdeen offers slightly more affordable housing and a marginally better house price-to-income ratio, Dunfermline's broad job market and cultural surge have propelled it to the lead position.

The league table also draws attention to Dunfermline's closeness to Edinburgh, with just a 32-minute train journey separating the two cities, reports the Express.

Despite the short commute, there's a significant difference in housing costs, with the average home in Dunfermline being over £133,000 less expensive than in the Scottish capital.

Savills' findings reveal that the average house price in this Fife city stands at £206,900, while the average household income is £56,225. Last year, the average house price in London reached a staggering £723,132, dwarfing the Great Britain average of £346,683.

Dunfermline, with its stunning woodlands surrounding Pittencrieff Park and the nearby Townhill Country Park and Town Loch – a national hub for waterskiing and wakeboarding – is a dream for those seeking outdoor adventures.

The area boasts an array of wild swimming locations, including the picturesque Aberdour Silver Sands Beach, and a thriving community of independent craft artisans.

The town's old Art Deco fire station has been transformed into Fire Station Creative, a dynamic centre teeming with artists, printmakers, and jewellers. Music lovers will also be thrilled by the vibrant open mic scene that nurtures emerging young bands.

Rich in history, Dunfermline holds the graves of some of Scotland's most revered monarchs, such as Robert the Bruce.

Local advocate Michelle McWilliams, who played a role in the city status campaign, remarked: "We were Europe's fastest-growing town. Now we're one of its most creative and historic small cities."

Despite its grandeur, London didn't crack the top ten, as Lucian Cook from Savills pointed out: "House prices are as high as eight times household incomes across 75 percent of the capital."

In other news, job search platform Adzuna highlighted Leeds as the location offering the highest-paying jobs outside of London.