Ipswich is the third most stressful place to live in the UK, according to a new study.

Bringing together stress-inducing statistics on job growth, employment, house prices, cost of living, crime, commute time and wellbeing figures from the Office of National Statistics, the study claims only London and Birmingham are more stressful places to live.

The study, by credit compare site TotallyMoney.com, sees Norwich place 24th in its ranking with Doncaster ranked as the least stressful place to live.

Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, David Ellesmere, says he doesn’t agree with the survey’s findings.

“I think you must always treat these sort of surveys with a pinch of salt,” he said.

“I remember in another study a couple of years ago we were ranked the third happiest place to live.

“It depends what information you look at.

“Clearly there are people in Ipswich, as with anywhere else in the country, who are feeling issues with real wage stagnating and lowering and anybody who has travelled to London over the past week is probably going to have found it a stressful time.

“But overall I don’t think it gives a true picture of Ipswich.

“In terms of house prices we have some of the cheapest in the region so that doesn’t add up either.

“Most people think it is a great place to live - we have fantastic facilities and are very lucky to live here.

“Out of the two surveys I would go for the third happiest one.”

Mayor of Ipswich Sarah Barber agreed, saying the stresses of modern life were not unique to Ipswich.

“As Mayor of Ipswich I am really proud of the town,” she said.

“It is a lovely town with the university, good employment, art, culture, museums, parks, the historic waterfront and great facilities.

“This study doesn’t match up to the Ipswich I know.

“I don’t think the stresses of modern life in the 21st century are unique to Ipswich.

“As for the commute, I admit there are some weeks of the year that can be difficult with the hot and cold weather.

“But for me the study shows a picture of the town that does not reflect the Ipswich I know and love.”

Do you Ipswich is a stressful place to live? Let us know in the comments below.

The top 10 most stressful places to live in the UK according to TotallyMoney.com

1st London

2nd Birmingham

3rd Ipswich

4th Dundee

5th Worthing

6th Manchester

7th Liverpool

8th Newcastle

9th Luton

10th Slough