Bristol vs Northampton
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Bristol (South West) and Northampton (East Midlands) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Bristol rates 54/100 (grade C) and Northampton rates 54/100 (grade C). Bristol has the stronger schools, with 60% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£436 versus ~£467). 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.
Bristol vs Northampton: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Bristol and Northampton are closely matched overall. Bristol performs better in schools and transport, while Northampton has the advantage in broadband and environment. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol or Northampton better to live in?
Bristol and Northampton are closely matched overall. Bristol performs better in schools and transport, while Northampton has the advantage in broadband and environment. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Bristol safer than Northampton?
Bristol and Northampton have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Bristol or Northampton?
Bristol has 15 schools within 3km, with 60% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Bristol or Northampton?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Northampton (~£436/month) compared to Bristol (~£467/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.