As temperatures drop and nights draw in, many across the UK are reassessing their habits, with searches for “winter arc” spiking as people look for ways to adapt their routines and maintain well-being through the colder months. But with 1 in 5 Brits saying cost prevents them from living healthily, affordability remains a barrier to wellness.
To uncover where healthy living is most achievable, iSelect, a health insurance comparison platform, analysed data from across the UK. The study assessed gym prices, healthy food costs, walking trail availability, healthcare quality, and online interest in fitness classes to rank the most and least accessible cities for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Sheffield leads in health and fitness affordability
Sheffield tops the list with a Fitness Accessibility Index score of 74.64 out of 100, making it the UK’s most affordable city for healthy living. The city provides abundant opportunities for exercise and well-being, offering:
- 34.73 walking trails per 100,000 people, the second-highest in the UK
- A healthy food basket cost averaging £17.29
- Gym memberships averaging £33.53 per month
- The fourth-highest fitness class search rate (20.14 per 100,000)
Birmingham ranks second with a score of 68.20, helped by the lowest healthy food basket cost in the UK at £16.58 and affordable gym memberships averaging £24.04. The city also records 10.46 walking trails per 100,000 and growing online engagement with fitness classes (5.69 per 100,000).
Liverpool places third with a score of 66.10. The city stands out for healthcare quality (79.1) and reasonable living costs, with food baskets at £18.00 and gym memberships at £27.48.
Further down the list, Nottingham (62.87) and Cardiff (60.72) show solid accessibility, while Glasgow, despite leading in walking trails (36.51 per 100,000), scores lower (50.38) due to higher gym costs (£37.08).
The least accessible cities
At the other end of the spectrum, London ranks as the least accessible city for fitness and well-being, scoring 16.07. Gym memberships average £47, about 40% above the UK average, while the capital offers fewer walking trails (9.94 per 100,000) and relatively low interest in fitness classes. Healthcare access remains moderate (69.6), and a healthy food basket costs £19.42.
Bristol follows with a score of 33.57, providing 30.13 walking trails per 100,000 but facing higher food basket costs (£20.56) and gym fees (£36.51).
Edinburgh, scoring 40.03, benefits from 31.83 walking trails per 100,000 and strong healthcare quality (75.8), though higher gym prices (£39.89) limit affordability.
The cost of living well
The findings highlight growing concerns about the price of healthy living. Healthier foods now cost more than twice as much per calorie as less healthy options (£8.80 vs £4.30 per 1,000 kcal). Prices for nutritious foods have risen 21% in two years, compared with 11% for unhealthy ones.
For the most deprived fifth of UK households, following a government-recommended healthy diet requires 45% of disposable income, increasing to 70% for families with children. With food inflation at 3% in early 2025 and forecasts predicting 4.2% later in the year, maintaining good health is becoming more financially demanding.
Expert insight
Andres Gutierrez, general manager of health at iSelect, said: “Movement and nutrition are both vital to our long-term health, and even where gym prices may be out of budget, several countries still have an excellent network of walking trails. As we age and progress through life, the importance of taking care of our bodies becomes ever clearer.
“One way we can continue to stay healthy and cover some of those unexpected emergencies is through an appropriate health insurance plan. By comparing health insurance, you can look for the most appropriate policy for your circumstances from our range of health funds to help you keep better control of your health and spend time doing the things that matter to you the most.”
A widening gap in wellness
The data suggests that geography plays a growing role in the nation’s health. Sheffield stands out for making wellness accessible and affordable, while London, despite its resources, remains the most expensive place to stay fit. The findings point to a widening divide in the UK’s ability to live healthily, shaped by regional costs and economic pressures.