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Bournemouth vs Cardiff

Which is better to live in? (2026)

55

Bournemouth

South West

Grade C
77

Cardiff

Grade BHigher Overall
Bournemouth: 0 wins|Cardiff: 9 wins

Category Comparison

Bournemouth
Category
Cardiff
55/100
🏆Overall Score
BETTER77/100
25/100
🔒Crime Safety
BETTER72/100
71% Good/Outstanding
🎓Schools
BETTER0% Good/Outstanding
87/100
🚆Transport
BETTER88/100
56/100
💷Affordability
BETTER72/100
~£426/mo
🧾Monthly Bills
BETTER~£405/mo
65/100
📶Broadband
BETTER75/100
33/100
🌿Environment
BETTER87/100
48/100
🏥Healthcare
BETTER72/100

Our Verdict

Cardiff leads in 7 of 8 categories, scoring higher for crime safety, schools, transport. That said, Bournemouth has the edge in , making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bournemouth or Cardiff better to live in?

Cardiff leads in 7 of 8 categories, scoring higher for crime safety, schools, transport. That said, Bournemouth has the edge in , making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.

Is Bournemouth safer than Cardiff?

Cardiff scores higher for crime safety (72/100) compared to Bournemouth (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.

Which has better schools, Bournemouth or Cardiff?

Bournemouth has 7 schools within 3km, with 71% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Cardiff has 0 schools nearby, with 0% rated Good or Outstanding.

Is it cheaper to live in Bournemouth or Cardiff?

Estimated monthly bills are lower in Cardiff (~£405/month) compared to Bournemouth (~£426/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.