10 unhealthiest cities in UK revealed — and only one is in the south

From too many takeaways to smoking habits, and greater risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, some parts of the UK aren’t as healthy as others.

But now — thanks to a new study by The King’s Fund analysing the health of our nation — we know exactly which cities are the unhealthiest.

The unfortunate ‘winner’ was found to have a life expectancy of 73.7 years on average for men. For women, it was 79.1 years.

Both are scarily lower than the UK’s national average, which for women is 84 and 80 for men.

Following the research, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘Someone’s postcode should never dictate how long they live, and this government is determined to tackle the stark inequalities that still exist across Britain.’

‘We’re already taking action, from allocating GP funding more fairly to delivering pioneering neighborhood health centers in the areas that need them most.

‘But we will now go further in devolving power to local communities, putting decision-making into the hands of those who know their areas best, and driving lasting change across the country.’

Keen to find out whether you’re unknowingly living in England’s unhealthiest patch?

Here are the top 10 cities — ironically, a list that no one will likely want to be on:

10. Hastings

Hastings, in East Sussex, has a lot going for it.

It’s the site of the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings, and home to Hastings Castle, Norman ruins that overlook the sea, built by William the Conqueror.

The narrow Old Town is also filled with quirky vintage shops, lively pubs, and historic black net fishing huts.

The downside? It’s the 10th unhealthiest city in the UK.

Men have a life expectancy of 76.6 years, while women live a longer 81.6 years.

9. Blackburn with Darwen

Up to Lancashire now, and to one of the most deprived local authority areas in England, according to Lancashire City Council.

In fact, the 2025 Indices of Deprivation revealed Blackburn with Darwen was ranked as the 11th most deprived area out of 296 districts and unitary authorities in England.

Still, employee numbers in Blackburn with Darwen increased in the decade to 2008, albeit at a rate below the national and county averages.

Life expectancy in Blackburn and Darwen, in both males and females, can sometimes deteriorate rather than improve, too.

The council says this is a trend found in a number of the East Lancashire authorities. 

Men live for 76.5 years on average, while women live 80.4 years.

8. Nottingham

Home to rich folklore (we’re talking Robin Hood heritage) and deep underground history (man-made sandstone caves weave beneath the streets), Nottingham is also a popular university city.

From its food and drink scene to historic pubs, there’s also plenty of independent shops, cafes, and vintage stores to occupy you.

However, Nottingham also made this list, with male life expectancies coming in at 76.4 years and female at 80.8.

7. Liverpool

Liverpool is another vibrant UK city, located in the North East. The port city is famous for producing perhaps the biggest band ever made, The Beatles, and has plenty of musical experiences and landmarks dedicated to the group.

Seriously, visit The Beatles Story Museum at the docks or the legendary Cavern Club on Mathew Street, where the band performed.

Or, walk the Pier Head to view the ‘Three Graces’ — the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port of Liverpool Building.

Sadly, the study also indicated that Liverpool has higher levels of deprivation. The research added that people in the North East were more likely to be overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes than Londoners, too.

Therefore, lower life expectancies. In men, this is 76.1. In women, it’s 80.3.

6. Burnley

In Burnley, certain inner-city pockets experience higher levels of deprivation, according to the study.

But, the scenic outer villages and surrounding Lancashire countryside are famous for their beauty.

Pendle Hill, for example, is around 7 miles away from Burnley, famous for the Pendle witches, a group of 12 people accused of the murder of ten people by witchcraft in 1612.

In terms of life expectancy, males live for 76.1 years on average, as women (again) typically last longer, at 80.3 years.

5. Lincoln

This historic cathedral city has plenty of impressive architecture and landmarks to see.

This includes Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, and Steep Hill, a medieval street that connects the lower city to the uphill Cathedral Quarter. Here, you’ll find independent shops and old timber houses.

The East Midlands even houses an original 1215 copy of the Magna Carta in the castle, a Norman fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

But it’s also apparently the 5th unhealthiest UK city, with a 75.9-year life expectancy for men and 81 for women.

4. Manchester

Manchester is known for many things. It’s the birthplace of an iconic music scene, where influential groups like Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division, and The Stone Roses made their start.

There was also the Madchester movement, a vibrant late-1980s and early-1990s music and cultural scene centerd around The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and The Haçienda nightclub.

Then there’s the football legacy: the city is home to two Premier League teams, Manchester United and Manchester City.

But alongside all the success, there’s also deprivation in the Greater Manchester area.

Last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government scored each area of the UK based on analysis of income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and the state of the local environment.

Central Stockport, Portwood and Shaw Heath ranked at number 21 nationally, and were named the most deprived areas in Greater Manchester.

Central Rochdale and Mandale Park ranked number 24 nationally, followed by the Pendleton area of Salford, at number 28.

Overall, life expectancy in Manchester is 75.6 for men and 80.1 for women.

3. Kingston upon Hull

Into the top three now, and you’ll have noticed that, so far, there’s only one Southern city on this list. Spoiler: this isn’t going to change.

Before we get into Hull’s positives (it was the UK City of Culture in 2017), let’s talk about the obvious north-south divide pattern.

Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at The King’s Fund, touched on this during the study.

She said: ‘That people in our northern and deprived communities have seen little or no improvement in longevity over a decade, in contrast to the health gains in their southern and more well-off counterparts, is a mark of shame for an affluent country. 

‘Addressing this inequity in the nation’s health is not just a matter of social justice; it would reduce pressures on the NHS and the high economic costs of ill health.’

This is, of course, in reference to the fact that southern areas — particularly the wealthiest ones, like Kensington and Chelsea — have much higher life expectancies than many of the less affluent northern cities.

But back to Hull, the historic port city in East Yorkshire.

It’s the birthplace of William Wilberforce, a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the Atlantic slave trade.

There’s also The Deep, a famous aquarium shaped like a giant wave, located at the river junction.

During its City of Culture year, Hull hosted major art events and the Turner Prize at the Ferens Art Gallery.

But that doesn’t change the lower life expectancy. In men, it’s 75.5, while in women, it’s 80.4.

2. Middlesbrough

Many people think Middlesbrough belongs to Durham, due to its proximity to the county. In actual fact, it’s part of North Yorkshire and located in North East England.

Geography aside, the town has a heavy industrial heritage, and was known as ‘Ironopolis’ during the Industrial Revolution.

If you can’t guess, it’s because the town was a major producer of iron and steel used for global landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

It’s also the home of The Parmo, a breaded cutlet of chicken or pork topped with a white béchamel sauce and cheese.

It was created in 1958 by Nicos Harris, a Greek-American military chef who settled in Middlesbrough after World War II.

However, last year, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) also noted that half of the neighborhoods in Middlesbrough are very deprived, making it the council with the highest proportion, ahead of Birmingham and Hartlepool.

Life expectancy-wise, we’re talking 75.5 years for men and 80.5 for women.

1. Blackpool

At number one, it’s Blackpool. While we already know the life expectancy of the coastal Lancashire town, other studies have revealed Blackpool to be the ‘takeaway capital’ of the North West, boasting 25 fast-food shops per 10,000 people.

Another report found that Blackpool had four times the average number of drug deaths, and nearly double the rate of smoking deaths.

Not only this, but the city also has the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths and serious mental health conditions in England. 

Reminder: life expectancy is 73.7 years for men and 79.1 years for women.

But let’s not end on a depressing note. The city actually has lots going for it, despite having a rundown reputation.

While Blackpool was once a thriving UK holiday destination, the rise of cheap flights to Mediterranean destinations in the 1960s and 1970s meant holidaymakers stopped spending summer weeks at the British seaside.

However, iconic landmarks still remain, including the historic Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Tower, whose Tower Ballroom is featured on Strictly Come Dancing every year.