Key Points
- Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula opposite Liverpool records the highest net migration increase at 27 per cent in the year to mid-2024.
- Over 11,000 people moved into Birkenhead while nearly 9,000 left, drawn by job opportunities and leisure attractions in Liverpool.
- Liverpool’s regeneration projects worth more than £7 billion are set to progress significantly in 2026, delivering thousands of new homes.
- Rising rents in Liverpool, up 7.3 to 8.9 per cent in late 2025, outpace house price growth, attracting investors and tenants.
- Sectors like higher education, healthcare, digital media and regeneration drive inward migration to Liverpool and surrounding areas.
Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 4, 2026 – Birkenhead has emerged as the UK’s top destination for movers, with a 27 per cent surge in net migration fuelled by proximity to Liverpool’s vibrant opportunities.
More than 11,000 individuals relocated to the Wirral Peninsula town across the River Mersey from Liverpool in the year to mid-2024, outnumbering the nearly 9,000 who departed. This influx underscores the appeal of affordable housing and access to Liverpool’s jobs and attractions, according to analysis of UK moving trends.
Why is Birkenhead the most popular spot for new movers?
Net migration to Birkenhead rose sharply by 27 per cent, positioning it ahead of other locations like Wigan and Northampton. The port town’s location opposite Liverpool offers movers a peaceful lifestyle with average house prices at £181,809, significantly lower than many urban centres. Stora’s UK Moving Trends 2026 report highlights this as the highest increase among tracked areas.
As reported by Stora analysts of Stora, towns like Birkenhead dominate the top six most popular relocation spots, challenging assumptions that people prefer cities.
What is drawing people to Liverpool and the Wirral?
Liverpool’s transformation through £7 billion in regeneration projects across housing, transport and commercial spaces is accelerating in 2026. Developments such as Wirral Waters, already delivering 500 apartments at full occupancy, and Central Docks planning over 2,000 homes, are boosting residential populations in formerly industrial areas.
How are regeneration schemes reshaping the region?
Projects like Festival Gardens aim to provide 440 new homes, including affordable and extra-care units, with planning applications due late in 2026. These initiatives, spanning the waterfront to city centre, promise parks, studios and infrastructure to support growing communities, according to reports on Liverpool’s regeneration progress.
What economic factors are boosting migration?
Rental demand in Liverpool surges due to over 70,000 students, healthcare workers at the new Royal Liverpool Hospital, and professionals in digital and media sectors like the Knowledge Quarter and Baltic Triangle. Private rents climbed 7.3 to 8.9 per cent in late 2025, far exceeding two per cent house price growth, making it a prime market for reliable tenants.
Inward migration from regeneration efforts and projects such as the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium continues to draw UK and international movers seeking culture, education and innovation.
