There are so many wonderful places to live in and around Manchester, and with plenty of local spots being named the best places to live in the country, we’re pretty smug about it. Now, research by Liveable.co.uk has revealed the most ‘liveable’ areas of Manchester, creating the so-called ‘Manchester T‘.
The findings follow September’s viral discussion of the ‘London Banana‘ and highlight the areas where Manchester’s quality of life is at its strongest. The Manchester T has been identified using the Liveable Score, a data-driven measure of local desirability.
Based primarily on UK Census data, the score considers factors such as home ownership, education, employment levels, and occupational class. Liveable’s algorithm maps results at a hyper-local level, revealing patterns of desirability that are invisible in broader statistics.
The analysis shows that Manchester’s highest-scoring neighbourhoods cluster in a striking ‘T’ shape, running from Ancoats and Deansgate through to Altrincham, with a southern stem extending through Didsbury and out to Bramhall.
Find the interactive map here.
The most liveable areas in Manchester/the Manchester T (with score & average house price):
- Altrincham: B+/£587,672
- Ancoats: A/£381,354
- Bowdon: B+/£645,508
- Bramhall: B+/£440,526
- Brooklands: B+/£394,456
- Cheadle Hulme: B+/£407,835
- Chorlton: A/£447,741
- Didsbury: A/£576,468
- Hale: B+/£593,589
- Heaton Mersey: B+/£403,605
- Timperley: B+/£516,919
- West Didsbury: A/£635,284
Which liveable areas in the Manchester T are the cheapest?
While the Manchester T includes some of the region’s most premium addresses, the analysis also highlights several areas that combine strong Liveable scores with more accessible property prices, including:
Brooklands (Trafford)
At £394,456, this Metrolink-connected suburb offers excellent value given its proximity to the city centre and family-friendly character.
Cheadle Hulme (Stockport)
With an average of £407,835, this area combines strong schools, good transport links, and a lively high street.
Heaton Mersey (Stockport)
Averaging £403,605, this neighbourhood offers both green space and easy train access, making it one of the most balanced value-for-money spots in the T.
Bramhall (Stockport)
Though slightly higher at £440,526, Bramhall’s village feel, parks, and direct rail links make it an attractive alternative to Trafford’s priciest postcodes.
Chorlton (Manchester)
At £447,741, this area offers greater value compared to nearby Didsbury. Its bohemian atmosphere, independent shops, and Metrolink connection make it a cultural hotspot that punches above its price point.
Together, these areas show that living within the Manchester T isn’t limited to premium postcodes. Value still exists, particularly around the £400k mark – but if you’re looking for something truly affordable, you may, like us, have to look at the rest of the alphabet…
See the full study from liveable.co.uk here.