Birmingham vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Birmingham comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, transport, affordability. However, Portsmouth performs better in schools and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Portsmouth better to live in?
Birmingham comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, transport, affordability. However, Portsmouth performs better in schools and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Birmingham safer than Portsmouth?
Birmingham scores higher for crime safety (33/100) compared to Portsmouth (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Birmingham or Portsmouth?
Birmingham has 15 schools within 3km, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Portsmouth has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Birmingham (~£402/month) compared to Portsmouth (~£418/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.