Study names Black Country town as UK’s best for budget friendly healthy living

A Black Country town has been named the UK’s most budget friendly when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle.

Walsall has ranked top on the pile in a new study which has analysed metrics as a percentage of monthly income.

The report, published by UK insurance firm My Health Protected, looked at the price of monthly gym membership, fruit and vegetables per kilogram and one hour’s tennis court rental, measured as a percentage of the average salary.

Walsall came out on top of 50 towns and cities across the UK, with gym memberships from £17.50 per month, fruit and vegetables at £10.05 per kilogram and tennis court rentals from £8 per hour.

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My Health Protected said this represented overall weekly health costs amounting to just 5.49 per cent of the average salary, giving it an overall score of 91.78.

But it is not the only Black Country location to make the cut as Dudley registered an overall score of 82.11, putting it in fifth place, while Wolverhampton ranked in 15th spot with an overall score of 72.11

Also making the list were Coventry (sixth, 81.01), Stoke-on-Trent (12th, 74.55) and Birmingham (18th, 69.81).

My Health Protected founder Patrick Baxter said: "Affordability is increasingly a barrier to maintaining healthy habits.

"Many people want to eat well, exercise regularly and stay active but work schedules, commuting and other lifestyle pressures can make it difficult.

"Shifting toward a healthier lifestyle can boost energy levels, improve mood and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Making wellness a priority doesn’t always mean spending more. It’s about making consistent, mindful choices that enhance overall quality of life."