Aberdeen vs Newcastle upon Tyne
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Aberdeen () and Newcastle upon Tyne (North East) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Aberdeen rates 72/100 (grade B) and Newcastle upon Tyne rates 51/100 (grade D). Aberdeen is the safer of the two on crime (72/100 versus 33/100). Newcastle upon Tyne has the stronger schools, with 40% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Aberdeen works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£361 versus ~£444). The full side-by-side breakdown of crime, schools, transport, affordability, broadband, environment and healthcare is below, followed by our verdict on which area fits which kind of buyer.
Aberdeen vs Newcastle upon Tyne: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Aberdeen comes out ahead in 7 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Newcastle upon Tyne performs better in transport, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen or Newcastle upon Tyne better to live in?
Aberdeen comes out ahead in 7 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Newcastle upon Tyne performs better in transport, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Aberdeen safer than Newcastle upon Tyne?
Aberdeen scores higher for crime safety (72/100) compared to Newcastle upon Tyne (33/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Aberdeen or Newcastle upon Tyne?
Aberdeen has 0 schools within 3km, with 0% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Newcastle upon Tyne has 15 schools nearby, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Newcastle upon Tyne?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Aberdeen (~£361/month) compared to Newcastle upon Tyne (~£444/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
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Data sources: Scores are estimated using pre-loaded data from MHCLG Indices of Deprivation, Ofsted/GIAS school ratings, DfT Transport Connectivity 2025, MHCLG council tax data, Ofgem energy price cap, and regional averages. For full live data from 20+ government sources, view the individual town reports. Data provided under the Open Government Licence v3.0.