Cambridge vs Ipswich

Which is better to live in? (2026)

77

Cambridge

East of England

Grade BHigher Overall
59

Ipswich

East of England

Grade C
Cambridge: 5 wins|Ipswich: 2 wins

Category Comparison

Cambridge
Category
Ipswich
77/100BETTER
๐Ÿ†Overall Score
59/100
95/100BETTER
๐Ÿ”’Crime Safety
41/100
60% Good/Outstanding
๐ŸŽ“Schools
BETTER67% Good/Outstanding
84/100BETTER
๐Ÿš†Transport
82/100
87/100BETTER
๐Ÿ’ทAffordability
48/100
~ยฃ443/mo
๐ŸงพMonthly Bills
~ยฃ443/mo
72/100
๐Ÿ“ถBroadband
72/100
33/100
๐ŸŒฟEnvironment
BETTER56/100
95/100BETTER
๐ŸฅHealthcare
48/100

Our Verdict

Cambridge comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, transport, affordability. However, Ipswich performs better in schools and environment, so the best choice depends on your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge or Ipswich better to live in?

Cambridge comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, transport, affordability. However, Ipswich performs better in schools and environment, so the best choice depends on your priorities.

Is Cambridge safer than Ipswich?

Cambridge scores higher for crime safety (95/100) compared to Ipswich (41/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.

Which has better schools, Cambridge or Ipswich?

Cambridge has 15 schools within 3km, with 60% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Ipswich has 15 schools nearby, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding.

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Ipswich?

Monthly bills are similar in both areas (~ยฃ443/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.