The inaugural ESPC Best Edinburgh Neighbourhoods Index has been released, which reveals Stockbridge as the capital’s top place to call home in 2026.
The Index is an annual look at the very best neighbourhoods Edinburgh has to offer, using a scoring system to determine the top 10 areas in the city and highlight exactly why they’re fantastic places to call home.
Considering factors including local property prices and affordability, combined with access to transport, green spaces, schools and amenities, plus ratings on community spirit and crime rates, the Index highlights the reasons why each of these areas has achieved a place in the rankings and what makes them such great places to live.
Joining Stockbridge in the top 10 are neighbourhoods as varied as Portobello, Morningside, Leith and Currie, offering something for buyers at every stage of life and every rung of the property ladder.
Stockbridge achieved top marks for transport and walkability, green space, local amenities, safety and community spirit. Leith was the most affordable neighbourhood in the top 10, with an average selling price of £261,024 – around £46,000 below the Edinburgh average of £307,347 – while Colinton and Fairmilehead had the highest average price at £432,514.
Paul Hilton, chief executive of ESPC, said: “After 55 years of helping people buy and sell homes, at ESPC we know that when it comes to finding a home, location really is everything.
“Every day, we see where buyers are most keen to live, and our solicitor estate agent member firms know first-hand what makes these neighbourhoods so special.
“Our Index brings that insight together with the latest ESPC property price data, so it reflects not just what makes an area sought-after but how affordable it is.
“Stockbridge is a very worthy winner, and I’m already looking forward to seeing which area takes the top spot next year.”
See ESPC’s Best Edinburgh Neighbourhoods Index top 10 in our photo gallery below.
