Study ranks Lancaster top city for working mums

CoworkingCafe study ranks 80+ cities on childcare, affordability, health and work opportunities

Balancing a career and raising children has become the norm for mums across England, but the level of support they receive still depends heavily on where they live. To uncover which places are doing the most to support modern motherhood in 2025, CoworkingCafe has analysed more than 80 English cities and large towns across four pillars: Work, Education, Health & Environment, and Affordability.

The study considered 15 key measures, ranging from women’s employment and earnings to childcare availability and fees, school access and performance, GP coverage, air quality, green space and housing affordability. To reflect the different needs of working mothers, CoworkingCafe also introduced two additional spotlights: Access & Support Strongholds (highlighting cities that best support career-focused mums) and Cost-Comfort Hotspots (capturing the most budget-friendly locations for families).

This year, Lancashire emerged as a regional frontrunner. Lancaster was ranked the number one city in England for working mums overall, while nearby Preston took second place in the Cost-Comfort Hotspots list and placed 18th nationally. Together, the two cities show how the North West is setting the pace when it comes to affordable family living combined with reliable services.

Lancaster Spotlight

Lancaster’s top ranking is underpinned by a rare mix of strengths. The city offers excellent access to schools, with 36.5 schools per 10,000 children, the third-highest rate in England. Air quality is another clear advantage: Lancaster has the second-cleanest air in the country, an important factor for children’s health. Childcare costs remain manageable at around £5.20 per hour — the fourth most affordable in England — with good availability at 2.1 children per place. Employment conditions also suit families, with 77.3% of women in work and an average working week of 29.2 hours, shorter than many peer cities. Housing, too, is more affordable than average, with households spending 25.4% of income on rent compared with 42% nationally and house prices sitting at 5.8 times income, below the national ratio of 7.6. Lancaster also scores strongly for everyday services, with 74 GPs per 100,000 residents, 5.8 public green spaces within a kilometre and nearly 90% of homes benefitting from private outdoor space.

Preston Spotlight

Preston, meanwhile, stands out as one of the country’s strongest Cost-Comfort Hotspots. Families here spend just 22% of income on rent — the third-lowest share in England — while the house price-to-income ratio is 4.8, the fifth-lowest nationally. Childcare costs are in line with Lancaster at £5.20 per hour, with equally good availability. Women’s earnings are solid, with a median of £34,417 per year, while the local economy provides close to one job per resident, reflecting strong employment prospects close to home.

At the national level, Lancaster, Cheltenham and Newcastle-under-Lyme lead the way, each recognised for their combination of affordable childcare, strong job markets and accessible services. Regionally, the North West dominates, with five cities in the overall top ten.

The full study, complete with methodology and interactive visuals, is available here: England’s Best Cities for Working Mums 2025