Ten best places to live in the UK: Solihull comes top

Higher incomes, better employment rates and even longer life expectancies can be found just outside of Birmingham

Solihull is officially the best place to live in the UK, at least according to a survey that found residents there enjoying higher incomes, better employment rates and longer life expectancies.

Meanwhile, the Quality of Life Index conducted by energy comparison site, Uswitch.com, found that Scotland is where the 'worst' places to live in the UK can be found.

Click here to view a gallery of the ten best places to live in the UK

The study looked at 38 local areas and 24 different factors to determine where the 'best' place to live is. These factors included average salaries, disposable household income and the cost of essential goods, such as fuel, food and energy bills.

It found that Solihull, located nine miles outside of Birmingham, was top for lifestyle factors such as working hours and life expectancy.

While residents of this region pay more for houses and face higher bills, these costs are outweighed by comfortable average salaries of £27,435 a year and relatively high levels of disposable income, which sit at £17,359 annually.

Mortality rates are low and life expectancy is notably high in this area, with men expected to live until 81 and women 84.

The top ten places to live in the UK according to Uswitch.com (Uswitch.com)

Among the least desirable were regions in Scotland, with East and North Ayrshire ranked as the 'worst' place to live in the UK. In this area, life expectancy is lower - 75 for men and 80 for women - and the average salary is £24, 242 a year. This leaves a disposable income of £14, 430 per year.

The study also found that along with all these factors, people living there enjoy much less sunshine.

Rather less surprisingly, West London remains the richest region in the UK average salaries of £35,500 and an annual disposable household income of £32,800 – three times higher than disposable income in Nottingham (£10,834).

The top ten worst places to live in the UK, according to Uswitch (Uswitch.com)