Each local authority area was given a score by Moneybarn based on how well it performs across six financial indicators: rent prices, house prices, employment rate, living wage, annual pay and Gross Disposable Household Income per head (GDHI). These were the Scottish areas that were deemed the most financially stable and viable to live in.
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Many of the most financially viable locations had affordable house and rent prices. Photo: Shutterstock
. West Lothian - 5.79
The most financially stable location in Scotland was found to be West Lothian, which scored highly in the categories of rent costs, house prices and living wage. It ranked as the 22nd most financially viable location in the UK as a whole. Photo: Shutterstock
. Aberdeenshire - 5.77
Aberdeenshire, in second place, scored highly for rent costs - with rent almost £200 cheaper than the UK average. It scored badly in the living wage category, however, with almost a fifth of residents earning less than the living wage. Photo: Shutterstock
. South Lanarkshire - 5.67
South Lanarkshire ranks as the third most financially viable location in Scotland. It scored well on house and rent prices, but was let down by its GDHI score, with residents taking home up to £2,300 less than the national average. Photo: Shutterstock
1. West Lothian - 5.79
The most financially stable location in Scotland was found to be West Lothian, which scored highly in the categories of rent costs, house prices and living wage. It ranked as the 22nd most financially viable location in the UK as a whole. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Aberdeenshire - 5.77
Aberdeenshire, in second place, scored highly for rent costs - with rent almost £200 cheaper than the UK average. It scored badly in the living wage category, however, with almost a fifth of residents earning less than the living wage. Photo: Shutterstock
3. South Lanarkshire - 5.67
South Lanarkshire ranks as the third most financially viable location in Scotland. It scored well on house and rent prices, but was let down by its GDHI score, with residents taking home up to £2,300 less than the national average. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Highland - 5.62
Highland came in at third place with a score of 5.62 overall. It scored highly for rent affordability and house prices, but was let down by low annual pay. Photo: Shutterstock