Sunderland is the best seaside area to retire to in England and Wales, according to Compare the Market.

The price comparison site analysed seaside locations, taking into account a range of factors, from quality of life and house prices to the cost of living.

It found Sunderland was the top seaside location to retire to, offering a high quality of life.

With more than 20% of the population in Sunderland aged over 65, retirees can also enjoy a lower cost of living here than in any other place in the top 10, with average costs at just £468 per month (excluding rent), as well as one of the cheapest average house prices (£160,230).

The seaside location also has one of the highest number of GPs per 10,000 people (20.7), and a very high quality of life score (74 out of 100).

The town also sees an average rainfall of only 718 mm per year, which is lower than the UK’s overall annual average of between 800 and 1,400 mm.

The second-best location to retire to, according to Compare the Market, is Bournemouth, followed by Clacton-on-Sea, Scarborough, and Bognor Regis.

The full top 10 can be found below:

1. Sunderland – £160,230
2. Bournemouth – £414,267
3. Clacton-on-Sea – £267,807
4. Scarborough – £194,039
5. Bognor Regis – £384,497
6. Bexhill – £331,849
7. Grimsby – £145,702
8. Hartlepool – £141,182
9. Southport – £245,953
10.Worthing – £374,136

Key findings

The study also found that Blackpool is the most affordable location to retire by the seaside, offering the lowest cost of living per month.

The average price of a house in Blackpool is £164,884, and the cost of living is just £431 per month for one person – lower than any other town.

Anna McEntee, life insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Retirement is an exciting time to start a new chapter, and escaping to the perfect seaside town can make all the difference. After spending the majority of our adult lives working hard, most of us dedicate our later years to getting some much-needed rest and relaxation – which is why retiring by the coast is such an attractive option.

“Whether you want to spend your retirement exploring the great outdoors and soaking up sea views, or simply need a change of scenery, coastal towns like Sunderland and Bournemouth are ideal locations. We encourage anyone planning for retirement to consider some of these seaside spots and explore their options to find the perfect place to enjoy their golden years.”