Winter Wellness Cities: The Best Cities for Keeping Well This Winter

As temperatures drop, many of us are looking for extra ways to support our health and wellbeing throughout the winter months. That being said, where you live may play a role, as some cities can provide certain conditions that can make staying healthy just that little bit easier. 

At Mogo Farm, we’ve created the ultimate Winter Wellness Cities Index that evaluates urban environments across a range of key health indicators, from air quality and pollution levels to population density and regional flu vaccination rates. These indicators were used to reveal which cities are best equipped to help residents maintain good health throughout the colder season, which can include avoiding those dreaded winter cold and flu germs. 

We used the following indicators to determine which cities are the best for staying well this winter:

• Air quality and pollution levels - Clean air reduces respiratory strain and supports overall health, making it easier to stay well during winter.

• Population density - Less crowded environments can help to slow the spread of contagious illnesses.

• Flu vaccination rates - Higher vaccination coverage helps protect communities from seasonal flu outbreaks, keeping more people healthy throughout the season.

• Self-reported well-being - Residents’ own perceptions of their health provide insight into a city’s overall quality of life and ability to support wellness.

• Number of sick days off work - Fewer sick days can help to indicate a healthier population and a stronger community resilience against infectious diseases.

The Top 15 Cities For Staying Well This Winter

1. Oxford

In first place as the best city for staying well this winter is Oxford. With an impressive air quality score of 79.6/100 and relatively low pollution levels (20.5/100), the city offers an environment that supports respiratory health, which can be vital during the cold season. Its residents also report some of the highest levels of good or very good health (83.4%). This is perhaps supported by its abundance of green spaces which helps encourage residents to be physically active whilst connecting with nature - a positive for all-round wellbeing.

On top of this, Oxford’s workforce demonstrates strong resilience, with residents in the region taking an average of just 4.7 sick days per year. Combined with robust flu vaccination coverage (58% of eligible people in the region are vaccinated on average), this suggests residents are proactive about their health.

2. Cambridge

Close behind its academic rival, Cambridge comes in second place. The city’s self-reported health is slightly above Oxford’s with 83.9% of residents agreeing that they have very good or good health, however the region has a slightly lower flu vaccination rate at 56.4%. That being said, Cambridge has one of the smallest population densities (4,137 people per km²), which can help contribute to reduced transmission of seasonal illnesses, helping residents stay healthier throughout the colder months.

With only 4.2 average sick days per worker in the region, Cambridge’s workforce also shows strong resilience against illness. Despite slightly lower air quality than Oxford (64.7), the city also has lots of green spaces to help people stay active, and it famously encourages active commuting with its extensive network of cycle paths. Overall, Cambridge has a strong environment to encourage residents to be healthy as the winter months set in.

3. Dundee

Moving up north, Dundee comes in third place. This Scottish city has exceptional air quality (90.9), the highest among all cities in the ranking, helping to create an environment that limits the aggravation of winter ailments. With 82.5% of residents reporting good or very good health, Dundee’s balance of fresh coastal air and small population density (3,129 per km²) makes it a particularly healthy place to live.

While the region’s average of 5.9 sick days per year is slightly above England’s top performers, Scotland compensates with a strong flu vaccination rate (56.5%), suggesting residents take active steps to protect themselves and others during flu season. 

4. Brighton 

Brighton comes in fourth place. Being on the coast, it might not come as a surprise that the city has a strong air quality score (80.4) with residents benefiting from a naturally invigorating seaside climate. The city’s strong self-reported health (81.8%) reflects this, as many Brightonians enjoy active, outdoor lifestyles supported by easy access to the beach and the South Downs.

Although Brighton’s population density (6,759 people per km²) is higher than many other top-ranked cities, the community’s commitment to wellness and prevention can be seen in a relatively high flu vaccination rate of 58% in the region. 

5. Norwich

Rounding out the top five is Norwich. The city’s low population density (2,628 per km²) means fewer opportunities for winter viruses to spread, while a strong flu vaccination uptake in the region (56.4%) shows a community willing to protect itself against seasonal illness. Norwich’s moderate air quality (72.5) and low pollution levels help to create an environment that supports respiratory health and makes it easier for residents to stay active and outdoors, even as temperatures drop.

Residents of Norwich also benefit from a robust sense of wellbeing, with 78% reporting good or very good health, and relatively few sick days (4.2 per year in the region). This, coupled with its clean air and open spaces, points to a city where residents have a strong chance of avoiding dreaded winter illnesses.

Which Cities Struggle The Most With Winter Wellbeing?

At the other end of the scale are Doncaster, Wolverhampton, Manchester, Bradford, and London, where higher pollution levels and dense urban living create tougher conditions for maintaining winter wellbeing. Poorer air quality was revealed to be one of the biggest challenges among these cities, making it harder for residents to avoid respiratory strain. Meanwhile, their high population densities can also make it easier for seasonal illnesses to spread, a key factor in these cities’ lower rankings.