Dundee has been named the top city in a nationwide study comparing the UK’s biggest urban areas

Picture: Ally Thomson

Dundee has been named the UK’s most peaceful city in a new national study that compared major urban areas across a range of factors including housing affordability, city layout, walking accessibility, and population size.

The research, carried out by Room Aromas using data from World Population Review, IQAir, OurAirports and Tripadvisor, placed Dundee at the top of the UK index.

The study acknowledged Dundee as the UK’s most peaceful city based on its overall balance of space, access to green areas, and manageable scale.

While the term has already sparked plenty of online discussion, researchers said the ranking reflects data-driven indicators such as crowding levels, access to outdoor routes, and the general ease of navigating the city.

Alongside this, affordability played a major role in Dundee’s strong performance. According to Rightmove, the average property price in the city over the past year was £178,545, with flats averaging £119,464.

Some properties go for significantly less, including a flat on Provost Road heading to auction at a guide price of £25,000 and several others listed around £45,000.

These prices are increasingly rare across UK cities and were highlighted as a key reason Dundee ranked so highly.

The research also noted the city’s compact layout and walkability, with many visitors and new residents commenting on how quickly they can get their bearings.

Walking routes and cycle paths link neighbourhoods to parks, coastal spots and the waterfront, making it easy to move around without relying heavily on cars or public transport.

A spokesperson for Room Aromas said the study’s findings show that Dundee offers an appealing mix of affordability, accessible green spaces, and a city size that feels manageable while still having plenty to offer.

They added that the city’s balance of amenities and room to breathe contributed strongly to its overall score.

Dundee’s cultural reputation continues to be a major draw. As Scotland’s only UNESCO City of Design, the city is home to the V&A Dundee, the McManus Galleries, the RRS Discovery and the Unicorn.

Its thriving creative industries, universities and visitor attractions have grown its profile as a dynamic destination.

Location also played a part in Dundee’s ranking. Situated on the River Tay, the city benefits from sweeping waterfront views and close access to beaches, hills, forests and mountains.

Broughty Ferry beach and the sands of Tentsmuir are both moments away, placing outdoor escapes within easy reach for residents and visitors.

This latest ranking adds to Dundee’s increasing recognition as a city offering strong value, good access to nature, and a growing cultural scene.

While online reactions to such studies can be lively, the data behind this research points to Dundee’s unique blend of scale, affordability and accessibility compared with cities across the UK.