Cambridge vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Cambridge comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Portsmouth performs better in transport and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Portsmouth better to live in?
Cambridge comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Portsmouth performs better in transport and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Cambridge safer than Portsmouth?
Cambridge scores higher for crime safety (95/100) compared to Portsmouth (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Cambridge or Portsmouth?
Cambridge has 15 schools within 3km, with 60% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Portsmouth has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Cambridge (~£417/month) compared to Portsmouth (~£418/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.