A recent study by specialist small business insurer Markel Direct has revealed the top locations in the UK for freelancers, with Exeter taking the number one spot. The study evaluated 49 locations across the country using five key factors to determine where freelancers are best positioned for success.
The study arrives as more people across the UK are opting for self-employment, attracted by the prospect of greater autonomy, flexibility, and a better work-life balance. Freelancing has grown in popularity as a way to escape the constraints of traditional employment, but where freelancers are based can have a significant impact on their success.
Markel Direct’s research considered several important factors for freelance workers. These included the number of freelance jobs available, the percentage of freelance roles paying over £40,000, full-fibre internet coverage, train connectivity, and the availability of free Wi-Fi working spaces. Each location was ranked out of 49, with one being the highest score.
Exeter emerged as the top location for freelancers. It performed particularly well in terms of freelance job availability, ranking first for the number of freelance opportunities per 10,000 residents. The city also came in eighth for the number of free workspaces available to freelancers.
Leeds was ranked second overall, even though it did not score the top position in any of the individual categories. It performed strongly in terms of train connectivity and free Wi-Fi workspace availability. Wakefield, another Yorkshire city, came in third, performing well for both freelance job availability and railway station connectivity.
A notable trend in the findings is the prominence of northern England and Scotland as hubs for freelancers. Six of the top ten cities were located in these regions, including Manchester in fourth place, Aberdeen in fifth, and Edinburgh in sixth.
| Ranking | Location |
| 1 | Exeter |
| 2 | Leeds |
| 3 | Wakefield |
| 4 | Manchester |
| 5 | Aberdeen |
| 6 | Edinburgh |
| 7 | Bristol |
| 7 | Brighton |
| 9 | Milton Keynes |
| 10 | Liverpool |
Liverpool rounded out the top ten, confirming its position as a favourable city for freelance workers.
For freelancers seeking high-paying jobs, the study found that Portsmouth ranked highest. Seventy percent of freelance roles advertised in the city offered salaries of more than £40,000, significantly above the national average. Walsall and Blackpool followed, with 67% and 64% of freelance roles, respectively, offering similar pay.
In terms of the top-ranking cities for each metric, Brighton led the way in the availability of free Wi-Fi workspaces, while Kingston upon Hull scored first for full-fibre internet coverage. London topped the rankings for train connectivity.
The study also looked at the challenges faced by freelancers in 2024. Among the 500 self-employed respondents, over half (51%) identified irregular income due to economic conditions as the most significant issue. A limited client base and seasonal fluctuations in demand were also cited as key concerns by 34% and 33% of respondents, respectively.
Despite these difficulties, an overwhelming 92% of freelancers stated they planned to remain self-employed in the future. The benefits of freelancing, such as being their own boss, enjoying flexibility, and pursuing a passion, were cited as the main reasons for staying in the freelance workforce.
