Bournemouth vs Plymouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Bournemouth and Plymouth are closely matched overall. Bournemouth performs better in schools and affordability, while Plymouth has the advantage in crime safety and transport. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bournemouth or Plymouth better to live in?
Bournemouth and Plymouth are closely matched overall. Bournemouth performs better in schools and affordability, while Plymouth has the advantage in crime safety and transport. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Bournemouth safer than Plymouth?
Plymouth scores higher for crime safety (33/100) compared to Bournemouth (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Bournemouth or Plymouth?
Bournemouth has 7 schools within 3km, with 71% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Plymouth has 15 schools nearby, with 47% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Bournemouth or Plymouth?
Monthly bills are similar in both areas (~£426/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
Related Comparisons
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.