Moving to an entirely new country is a feat in and of itself. You’ve also probably asked yourself this a hundred times already, “Is it better to live in Scotland or England?”.

Luckily for you, we’ve broken down the 15 things you need to take into consideration before choosing where to settle down. 

Is it better to live in Scotland or England?

The answer to this question ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and situation. 

To make this easier for you, we’ve prepared a comprehensive table with all the categories we’ve taken into account and their corresponding winners.

Keep in mind that we’ll delve into these in more detail later on.

Categories	Winner	Summary
Geography	Tied	England is way bigger than Scotland, which also means that it has a larger population.
Border
Political System	Tied	Since both countries belong to Great Britain, they follow a similar political system.
Weather	England	Since England is in the southern half of Great Britain, temperatures are generally more comfortable than Scotland’s which is often cold.
Cost of Living	Scotland	Between both countries’ capitals, the cost of living in Edinburgh, Scotland is 39% cheaper than in London, England.
Tax Systems	Tied	In both countries, the amount of tax you’ll need to pay will depend on the total income above Personal Allowance and income that falls within each tax band.
Healthcare via NHS	Scotland	While both countries give similar primary care services to their NHS patients, Scotland offers free prescriptions.
Education System	Tied	Scotland employs a flexible approach to learning whereas England prefers a specialised approach to education.
Purchasing or Renting Property	Scotland	Scotland’s properties are more affordable than England’s.
Traffic	Tied	Both countries have cities that are considered the UK’s most congested.
Public Transportation	Tied	Both countries have modern modes of transportation with trains and buses being the most commonly used.
Sights and Destinations	Tied	If you’re into landscapes, lochs, and the outdoors then Scotland’s the way to go!  If you’re into world-class city attractions such as museums and theaters then you’ll enjoy England.
Labor Market	Tied	Both countries have labor markets that are thriving in their own industries.
Work-Life Balance	Scotland	While the UK as a whole has quite a mediocre ranking, Scotland’s employees are known to have better work-life balance.
People	Tied	Both the Scots and the English are well-mannered and friendly people.
Religion	Tied	The majority of the population in both countries have a religion.

1. Geography

Image: Christian Lue on Unsplash

	Scotland	England
Area	77,910 km²	130,279 km²
Population	5.454 million (2019)	66.84 million ‎(2019)
Capital	Edinburgh	London
Major cities	• Glasgow • Aberdeen • Dundee • Paisley	• Birmingham • Manchester • Liverpool • Sheffield • Leeds • Bradford • Newcastle

The British Isles is the geographical term used to refer to the many islands that encompass the population of the United Kingdom (UK). As an island country, the UK is made up of two principal islands. 

The largest of the two is Great Britain, which is made up of Scotland, England, and Wales. Meanwhile, the second largest is Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Occupying 77,910 km² of land, Scotland is situated in the Northern half of Great Britain. Meanwhile, England occupies most of Southern Great Britain with an area of 130,279 km². 

Aside from having a bigger area, England also has a larger population and more major cities. Its regions are divided into 7 – North East (often referred to as Greater London), North West, Yorkshire, East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, East of England, and the South West.

2. Border

Image: BBC

Established in 1237 by the Treaty of York, the Anglo-Scottish border is a border running 96 miles or 154 km that separates Scotland and England. 

Whether you plan to cross by foot or vehicle, there is no border check in place. Having said that, you can cross over to either country without a passport since both Scotland and England are part of the UK. 

Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that the area along the Anglo-Scottish border is also referred to as “The Borderlands”? For 300 years, this piece of land has been considered anarchic.

 3. Political System

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	Scotland	England
Political System	• Scottish Government • British Parliament	• British Parliament

As a constituent of the UK, Scotland is subject to the governing power of the British Parliament. However, this only covers national concerns such as national defence and foreign affairs, among others.

For their domestic concerns, Scotland has its own independent government which was established in 1999. 

Though passing the Scotland Act 1998 the year before, the Scottish have the liberty to make decisions over their educational system, healthcare, and tourism, among others.

On the other hand, England doesn’t have a separate government. Instead, it follows the British Parliament, which operates on a nationwide basis.

However, there are over 300 local authorities in England to govern its various districts. They’re responsible for community-related matters concerning the environment, roads, and education, to name a few.

4. Weather

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As mentioned earlier, Scotland is situated in the northern half of Great Britain. Because of this, they experience colder temperatures, especially during the winter months.

So, if you fancy cosying up by a fireplace with hot chocolate in hand, then you’ll love the winters in Scotland. 

Since England is situated in the southern half of Great Britain, there’s less snow. On top of that, the summer months are a tad warmer, too.

Even so, Scotland and England have quite similar average temperatures and timelines for their changing seasons.

Season		Scotland	England
Summer	Average timeline	June to August	Average timeline	June to August
	Average temperatures	15°C to 17°C  63°F to 59°F	Average temperatures	15°C to 25°C 48°F to 64°F
Autumn or Fall	Average timeline	September to November	Average timeline	September to October
	Average temperatures	7°C to 15°C  44°F to 59°F	Average temperatures	12°C to 20°C 53°F to 68°F
Winter	Average timeline	November to March	Average timeline	December to February
	Average temperatures	0°C to 10°C 32°F to 50°F	Average temperatures	2°C to 7°C 36°F to 45°F
Spring	Average timeline	March to May	Average timeline	March to May
	Average temperatures	7°C to 13°C 45°F to 55°F	Average temperatures	6°C to 18°C 43°F to 64°F

5. Cost of Living

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Another vital factor to consider for a place to move to is its cost of living. This will determine whether you can cover your basic monthly expenses and sustain your lifestyle.

Here are a couple of facts we think you’ll appreciate: 

Fact #1: According to Living Cost, the cost of living in the UK is 1.26 times more expensive than in Scotland. Having said that, Scotland’s weekly household expenses are 20% cheaper than in London and 10% cheaper than the rest of the UK, as per Talent Scotland.

Fact #2: Between both countries’ capitals, the cost of living in London, England is 39% more expensive than in Edinburgh, Scotland, says Living Cost.

To give you a better idea of what your average monthly expenses would look like, here’s a table for comparison by Living Cost.

Expenses	Edinburgh, Scotland		London, England
	1 Person	Family of 4	1 Person	Family of 4
Rent	$1001	$1521	$2759	$2759
Utilities	$116	$178	$165	$252
Transportation	$101	$266	$410	$1059
Food	$406	$1050	$477	$1223
Internet plan (50 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited)	$34.1	$34.1	$36.5	$36.5

Note: Currency is in US Dollar (USD)

Nevertheless, it’s important to take into consideration that these numbers can vary depending on your location, lifestyle, spending habits, and financial responsibilities, among others.

6. Tax Systems

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For individuals outside of the UK, it’s important to note that tax rates are different for each country. Having said that, Scotland and England have their own rates for income tax.

Your yearly tax depends on:

1. Income above Personal Allowance
2. Income that falls within each tax band

In both countries, you pay tax on:

• Profits from employment
• Select state benefits
• Certain pensions
• Rental income, and more

Tax Rates in Scotland

If you live in Scotland, you’re subject to pay Scottish Income Tax on your non-savings and non-dividend income depending on your band.

If you earn equivalent to or less than £12,570, you won’t get taxed because this is considered your ‘Personal Allowance’. 

The Scottish tax rate begins at taxable incomes worth £12,571 and more.

If you have a personal income of over £100,000, your Personal Allowance decreases by £1 for each £2 that your adjusted net income goes over £100,000.

Name of Band	Band	Scottish Tax Rate
Personal Allowance	Up to £12,570	0%
Starter Rate	£12,571* to £14,667	19%
Basic Rate	£14,668* to £25,296	20%
Intermediate Rate	£25,297* to £43,662	21%
Higher Rate	£43,663* to £150,000	41%
Top Rate	Over £150,000	46%

Scotland income tax rates for 2022/2023

Tax Rates in England

According to England’s tax policies, those with a personal income equivalent to or less than £12,570 have 0% tax rates. In other words, this is non-taxable and considered their ‘Personal Allowance’.

Once you hit £12,571, you’ll be subject to a 20% tax rate and fall within the Basic Rate tax band. 

By the same token, you’ll be subject to a 40% tax rate once you reach £50,271 as you fall within the Higher Rate tax band.

For income over £125,140, you will no longer be eligible to collect a ‘Personal Allowance’.

Name of Band	Income	English Tax Rate
Personal Allowance	Up to £12,570	0%
Basic Rate	£12,571 to £50,270	20%
Higher Rate	£50,271 to £150,000	40%
Additional Rate	over £150,000	45%

UK income tax rates for 2021/2022

7. Healthcare via NHS

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To address the inequalities that hinder access to healthcare, Great Britain created the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948.

To ensure greater healthcare provision, the NHS works alongside over 1,000 primary care networks (PCNs) such as but not limited to:

• General practitioners (GPs)
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Voluntary services

	NHS Scotland	NHS England
Eligibility	Employed individuals (whether private, public, or self-employed) along with their spouse and immediate family members	All English residents
Primary Care Coverage
GP Practices	Yes	Yes
Emergency Services	Yes	Yes
Dental Examinations	Yes	Yes
Local Pharmacy	Yes	Yes
Eye Examinations	Yes	Yes
Screening	Yes	Yes
Immunisation Programmes	Yes	Yes
Prescriptions	Yes	Only certain groups are eligible for free prescriptions. Otherwise, a prescription costs £9.35.

NHS Scotland

Since Scotland is a devolved administration, they receive a grant from the UK government. On top of that, the country also acquires funding through taxation.

The Scottish Government distributes these funds across several healthcare departments, including NHS Scotland.

Having said that, employed individuals (whether private, public, or self-employed) are eligible to receive free healthcare from the NHS. It’s also worth highlighting that their spouses and immediate family members are entitled to free NHS healthcare, too.

For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an NHS Scotland patient, you may visit the Charter of Patients Rights and Responsibilities.

NHS England

In England, all healthcare services, including NHS England, are currently funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Aside from that, they also acquire funding through

taxation via National Insurance contributions (NICs).

All English residents are automatically entitled to free healthcare from NHS England. 

Unlike Scotland and the rest of Great Britain, prescriptions aren’t completely free in England. Most working individuals have to pay £9.35 for a prescription unless they meet the criteria for eligibility.

Aside from that, NHS England offers relatively the same healthcare services as NHS Scotland. 

For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an NHS England patient, you may visit the Charter of Patients Rights and Responsibilities.

8. Education System

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Both Scotland and England have several renowned educational institutions. Though, they differ quite a bit in regards to their approach.

Curriculum

	Scotland	England
Curriculum	Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)	National Curriculum
Approach	Holistic	Specialised

When it comes to curriculum, Scotland employs a holistic approach to education, following their own Curriculum for Excellence. Here, students are given the liberty to choose from a wide selection of subjects to study.

Having said that, they aren’t required to pick subjects related to their preferred specialization until a much later date. 

In comparison, England employs a specialised approach to education, following the National Curriculum. 

Here, students have been prescribed a specific set of subjects and are required to pick classes that are directly related to their preferred specialisation. 

Educational Levels

There are two big differences between the Scottish and English educational levels.

Firstly, English parents have the option to enroll their young ones in Reception. While it’s mostly centered on play and light studies, many parents value the head start that this gives their children as far as learning and socialising go.

Second, Scotland’s Secondary 5 and 6 (equivalent to England’s Years 12 and 13) are not compulsory. This means that Scottish pupils are not required to take these years.

The following table shows an approximate equivalent of each country’s educational levels:

Scotland		England
			Reception or Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS)*
Primary School (P)	Primary 1 Early Level	Key Stage (KS) 1	Year 1
	Primary 2  First Level		Year 2
	Primary 3  First Level	Key Stage (KS) 2	Year 3
	Primary 4 First Level		Year 4
	Primary 5 Second Level		Year 5
	Primary 6 Second Level		Year 6
	Primary 7 Second Level	Key Stage (KS) 3	Year 7
Secondary School (S)	Secondary 1		Year 8
	Secondary 2		Year 9
	Secondary 3	Key Stage (KS) 4	Year 10
	Secondary 4		Year 11
	Secondary 5*	Key Stage (KS) 5 or College / Sixth Form	Year 12
	Secondary 6*		Year 13

Qualifying Examinations

As far as qualifying examinations are concerned, Scotland has a tad more compulsory assessments focused on literacy and numeracy. 

SNSAs are taken in P1, P4, P7, and S3 while the Nationals are taken in S4. Pupils can choose to take as many Nat 5s as their school’s curriculum allows.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers are somewhat equivalent to the English GCSEs and A-levels as they’re used to gauge students’ intellectual abilities as a prerequisite to entering university.

Scotland	England
Scottish National Standardized Assessments (SNSAs)
Nationals (1 to 5)	GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Highers	A-levels (Advanced Levels)
Advanced Highers	A-levels (Advanced Levels)

Universities

	Scotland	England
Number of universities	19	160
Length	4 years	3 years
Course structure	Flexible	Specialized
Tuition Fees	Around £10,000 to £36,000 annually	Around £10,000 to £36,000 annually
Government coverage	Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)	None

It doesn’t come as a surprise that England has more universities in comparison to Scotland. England has a larger area and a higher population to cater to.

As for the length of completion, England takes just 3 years thanks to their specialised course structure. In other words, students take classes that are directly related to their major.

As for their tuition fees, both countries have quite a similar rate. However, the overall cost will depend on the student’s major, school, and status.

Speaking of status, students living in Scotland or in EU countries (also referred to as “home students”) are eligible to have their tuition fees covered by the Scottish government or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). 

Meanwhile, students who belong to the rest of the UK (also referred to as “rUK”) can expect a slightly more expensive fee. 

Similarly, international students can also expect a hefty fee on top of international student fees and accommodation fees, among others.

In England, on the other hand, tuition fees aren’t covered by the government anymore. Nevertheless, they provide several different kinds of financial aid in the form of scholarships and student loans, to name a few.

For a more detailed guide on how education is different in Scotland from England, click here.

9. Purchasing or Renting Property

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	Scotland	England
Which city has the highest rent?	Edinburgh has an average monthly rent of  £1,053	South-west London has an average monthly rent of £5,100
Which city has the lowest rent?	Dundee has an average monthly rent of £462	County Durham has an average monthly rent of £450
Can a non-resident get a mortgage?	Yes	Yes
Can a non-resident buy a house or property?	Yes	Yes
Is it mandatory for a seller to provide a Home Report?	Yes	No

It’s quite the no-brainer that both countries’ capitals have the most expensive rent. Edinburgh has an average monthly rent of £1,053 while South-west London has a little less than 5x that at £5,100 monthly.

If that doesn’t fall within your budget, both countries have cities with monthly rents just shy of £500. 

Keep in mind that purchasing a property in either Scotland or England does not entitle the owner of the property to residency status. 

If you’re a non-resident or a foreigner, there are several other legal pathways that can secure your stay in the country.

Accommodations in Scotland

When it comes to acquiring mortgages in Scotland, there are no legal restrictions for foreigners or non-residents. 

Essentially, all you need to do is meet and complete the lender’s eligibility and affordability requirements.

While some vendors sell their properties at fixed prices, most opt for a ‘blind bidding system’. Here, interested buyers can make a bid around a set range or depending on the bids of others. 

After you’ve got all your requirements settled, you can begin bidding on your desired properties. Once your bid has been accepted, it’s considered legally binding, so make your offers carefully! 

What’s great about renting or purchasing properties in Scotland is that it’s the seller’s legal obligation to provide a ‘Home Report’. 

As the name suggests, it’s a 4-part detailed document on everything a homeowner should know about the property, from mortgage valuation to energy report.

In fact, the property’s seller or selling agent is also obligated to provide you with a Home Report within 9 days of your request. Otherwise, you can get in touch with your local council’s trading standards services. 

Accommodations in England

Similarly, there are no legal restrictions for foreigners or non-residents when it comes to acquiring mortgages in England.

However, there’s a chance that you will stumble upon less favourable terms. More often than not, this is in the form of higher interest rates or more stringent requirements.

If possible, many recommend purchasing property on a cash basis. This way, you won’t have to go through the hurdles of acquiring a mortgage. 

After all of that, you can begin bidding on properties that pique your interest. Despite getting acceptances, these aren’t legally binding just yet. 

You’ll have to complete the majority of the paperwork first and then exchange contracts with the vendor. Apart from that, a deposit needs to be settled before the exchange. 

We think it’s important to highlight that there’s a common principle in England called ‘caveat emptor’. Originally in Latin, this essentially means “Let the buyer beware”.

In a nutshell, it’s the notion that it falls within the responsibility of the buyer to perform due diligence and ensure that they’re aware of the overall state and quality of the property they intend to purchase.

10. Traffic

Image: Nabeel Syed on Unsplash

	Scotland	England
How many vehicles are there on the road?	3.04 million cars	32.5 million cars

As mentioned earlier, England has a larger area and a higher population than Scotland. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are more vehicles on the road.

Even so, Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is reported to have the worst traffic of all the cities in the UK according to a study done by GoShorty. 

Edinburgh also takes the cake for the highest congestion rates at 35%. Even so, England doesn’t fall short with London getting 2nd place at 33% congestion level.

This is followed by Hull (located in East Yorkshire), Brighton, and Hove (both located in South East England) at 32%.

Congestion Levels
Ranking	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place
City	Edinburgh, Scotland	London, England	Hull, Brighton, and Hove, England
Congestion Rate	35%	33%	32%
Annual Hours Lost in Traffic	80 hours	75 hours	75 hours

11. Public Transportation

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Luckily, both Scotland and England have one of the most accessible modes of public transportation. So, it’s fairly easy to get around as a commuter.

	Scotland	England
What are the available modes of public transportation?	• Ferry • Subway • Tram • Taxi	• Train • Bus or coach • Taxi
What’s the best way to get around the major cities?	• Train  • Bus	• Train • Bus

Getting Around Scotland

When it comes to getting around Scotland, the most convenient way to travel is via bus. This is because bus routes can take you nearly anywhere across all major cities. 

To top it off, it’s one of the most affordable routes, especially for relatively long distances.

Alternatively, you can take the train, too. This route is quicker than the bus, which is great when you’re running late.

As for driving, they have significantly wider roads in comparison to England. Hence, it’s quite comfortable to drive on.

Getting Around England

Similarly, the most popular modes of public transportation in England are via train and bus as well. 

However, the cost of taking public transportation can be quite expensive, so it’s recommended that you explore all your options. 

The most convenient way to get around England is via train. It’s fast and reliable which makes traveling between cities easy, though quite lengthy depending on where you’re getting off.

Buses, on the other hand, are most commonly used for traveling within individual regions. It’s worth noting that they’re relatively cheaper than trains, too.

12. Sights and Destinations

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If you’re into landscapes, lochs, and the outdoors then Scotland’s the way to go! If you’re into world-class city attractions such as museums and theatres then you’ll enjoy England.

Nevertheless, both countries have a ton of renowned old and new tourist attractions. They also have a historically rich culture with several quaint and cosy cities by the countryside. 

What You’ll See in Scotland

Loch Leven in Glencoe

Image: Trip Advisor

Address: Visitor Center, Glencoe, Ballachulish PH49 4HX, UK

Website: https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/loch-leven-national-nature-reserve 

Contact Information: +44 1855 811307

Operating Hours: Daily: 10 AM – 5 PM

You’ve heard of Loch Ness, but have you heard of Loch Leven in Glencoe? One of Scotland’s 30,000 lochs, Loch Leven has been described as a “majestic wild land”, “a botanical paradise”, and “a geological wonder”, among others.

Edinburgh Castle

Image: Trip Advisor

Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/ 

Contact Information: 44 131 225 9846

Operating Hours: Daily: 9:30 AM – 6 PM

What’s Scotland without a castle, right? The Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s oldest historical sites dating back to the Iron Age and has housed several kings and queens.

Grassmarket District

Image: Edinburgh World Heritage

Address: Grassmarket Market, Central Reservation, Grassmarket EH1 2JR, United Kingdom

Website: https://edinburgh.org/neighbourhoods/grassmarket/ 

Contact Information: 44 131 225 9846

Operating Hours: Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Situated in the Old Town of Edinburgh, the Grassmarket Districts has roots dating back to the 17th century when it was the hub for trading cattle and horses.

Now, it’s a popular tourist destination looking to shop ‘till they drop for high-quality artisan 

What You’ll See in England

Buckingham Palace

Image: Bloomberg

Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.royal.uk/royal-residences-buckingham-palace 

Operating Hours: Saturday: 9 AM – 7:30 PM

What’s a trip to England without stopping by the Buckingham Palace? Since 1837, it’s been recognised worldwide as the home and administrative headquarters of the British monarch.

It’s sometimes open to the public, especially during the summer months. Tourists can visit the State Apartments, admire the large collection of artworks, and see the Queen’s garden.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Image: Insight Guides

Address: St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.stpauls.co.uk/ 

Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:30 AM

Wednesdays: 10 AM 

Built from 1807 to 1314, St. Paul’s Cathedral serves as the Anglican Episcopal. Aside from regularly holding services, many visit to see the remarkable galleries, architecture, and tombs.

On top of that, you can take a guided or self-guided tour around the cathedral, too. They even host special concerts and exhibitions from time to time which are all worth visiting.

Big Ben

Image: Visit London

Address: Elizabeth Tower – Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/big-ben/ 

Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:30 AM

Wednesdays: 10 AM 

Another iconic English tourist spot you definitely won’t be able to miss would be Big Ben. First built in 1857, this enormous tower clock was extensively damaged during WWII and had to be rebuilt.

Today, it stands tall and proud, chiming its 15.1-tonne bell every hour whilst its smaller bells chime every 15 minutes.

Labour Market

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	Scotland	England
Most Common Job Sectors	1. Financial services 2. Oil and gas 3. Engineering 4. Healthcare	1. Information and Technology 2. Engineering 3. Healthcare
Major Industries	1. Fishing 2. Food and drink 3. Forestry	1. Retail 2. Hospitality and tourism 3. Banking and finance
Employment Shortages	1. Transportation and storage  2. Arts, entertainment, and recreation  3. Accommodation and food services	1. Manufacturing 2. Hospitality 3. Wholesale and retail

Scotland’s Labour Market

In Scotland, major industries include fishing, food and drink, and forestry. In fact, recent figures revealed that the Scottish fishing industry is worth £542 million, which can be attributed to the fact that over 60% of the UK’s fishing waters belong to Scotland. 

The food and drink industry is also one of Scotland’s largest sectors comprising meat, whisky, salmon, and dairy, among others. They bring an economic contribution of over £15 billion.

Meanwhile, the forestry and timber industry contributes nearly £1 million. This involves forestry and timber processing which accounts for £771 million and the recreation and tourism sectors which account for £183 million.

Shortages have been seen in various sectors, but mostly in the 1) transportation and shortage, 2) arts, entertainment, and recreation, and 3) accommodation and food services industries.

England’s Labour Market

As for England, its major industries include retail, hospitality, as well as banking and finance.

England is a popular tourist destination and home to 66.84 million ‎(based on data in 2019). Hence, it’s no surprise that the tourism and hospitality sectors are one of their major industries.

In 2018, the UK’s hospitality and tourism industry contributed £72 billion to the economy. Meanwhile, retail sales in the UK were worth £439 billion in 2019.

On the other hand, England has been facing shortages in the 1) manufacturing, 2) hospitality, and 3) wholesale and retail industries.

13. Work-Life Balance

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As the name suggests, work-life balance is a person’s ability to sustainably balance their personal and work commitments. 

According to the Work-Life Balance – OECD Better Life Index, the UK ranks 11th place out of 41 countries. This ranking is based on:

• Employee’s work hours
• Employee’s time for personal care and leisure

	UK	OECD Average
Employee’s work hours	11%	10%
Employee’s time for personal care and leisure	14.5 hours	15 hours

When it comes to the amount of time spent at work, about 11% of employees from the UK reportedly spend long hours working. This is quite close to the OECD average of 10%.

As for the amount of time dedicated to personal care, full-time employees in the UK reportedly spend 62% or 14.5 hours. This is also quite close to the OECD average of 15 hours. 

Another study was created by money.co.uk in 2021, which more specifically assesses the work-life balance of cities in the UK. 

The factors taken into consideration for their ranking include

• Life satisfaction
• Happiness
• Anxiety
• Earnings and hours worked
• Access to public and green spaces
• Unemployment levels

Ranking	Overall Score	District	Country
#1	94.5	Outer Hebrides	Scotland
#2	92.2	West Devon	England
#3	91.5	North East Derbyshire	England
#4	88.9	Ribble Valley	England
#5	88.1	East Dunbartonshire	Scotland

Results revealed that Scotland’s Outer Hebrides took the lead at first place with an overall score of 94.5 out of 100 points. 

One thing that these top districts have in common is that they’re situated by the coasts or in the countryside. 

14. People

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While both the Scottish and English are well-known to be polite and friendly people, there are distinct characteristics that set each bunch apart.

Scottish	English
1. Friendly 2. Forthright 3. Humourous 4. Adventurous	1. Reserved 2. Polite and good mannered 3. Stoic 4. Humourous

What the Scottish Are Like

Did you know that a Cambridge study of more than 400,000 Britons revealed that the Scots are actually the friendliest bunch in the entire UK?

Having said that, don’t be taken by surprise if you find yourself stuck in a conversation about nearly anything under the sun with a local. 

They’re also known to be forthright and humourous. Hence, don’t take it too personally when you end up being the butt of the joke.

Apart from that, the Scottish are also iconic for their adventurous side. Given the bold landscapes and beautiful natural sights, many enjoy a weekend-long outdoor adventure when possible.

What the British Are Like

Did you know that the Cambridge study mentioned earlier also revealed that Londoners and populations throughout East England are the least welcoming in the entire UK? 

Even so, this can possibly be attributed to their reserved demeanor and stoic behavior. Hence, they appear to be quite standoffish, especially to foreigners.

Another typical English attitude is being well-mannered. Whether it be holding the door open or briefly chatting about the weather, the English take pride in being courteous.

Similar to the Scots, the English also have a good sense of humour. Hence, spending a night out at the pubs won’t be dull when you have some humourous Englishmen around.

15. Religion

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Both Scotland and England have a divided population as far as religion is concerned as many of their residents claim to have no religion at all. In Scotland, this is composed of 36.7% while in England this makes up 24.7%. 

Christianity appears to be their leading religion. Over half of England’s population belong to Christianity whilst 32.4% of Scottish belong to the Church of Scotland and 14% to the Roman Catholic Church.

Ranking	Scotland as of 2021	England as of 2020
#1	No Religion 36.7%	Christianity 59.4%
#2	Church of Scotland 32.4%	No Religion 24.7%
#3	Roman Catholic 14%	Muslim 5.0%

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That’s it, folks! We hope we presented you with a tonne of important insights that’ll help you make a wiser and more educated decision on where to live. 

With that said, do you think it’s better to live in Scotland or England? Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a message.