Cardiff vs Oxford

Which is better to live in? (2026)

77

Cardiff

Grade BHigher Overall
63

Oxford

South East

Grade C
Cardiff: 8 wins|Oxford: 1 wins

Category Comparison

Cardiff
Category
Oxford
77/100BETTER
๐Ÿ†Overall Score
63/100
72/100BETTER
๐Ÿ”’Crime Safety
48/100
0% Good/OutstandingBETTER
๐ŸŽ“Schools
60% Good/Outstanding
88/100BETTER
๐Ÿš†Transport
85/100
72/100BETTER
๐Ÿ’ทAffordability
64/100
~ยฃ405/moBETTER
๐ŸงพMonthly Bills
~ยฃ418/mo
75/100
๐Ÿ“ถBroadband
BETTER76/100
87/100BETTER
๐ŸŒฟEnvironment
56/100
72/100BETTER
๐ŸฅHealthcare
48/100

Our Verdict

Cardiff comes out ahead in 6 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, transport. However, Oxford performs better in broadband and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cardiff or Oxford better to live in?

Cardiff comes out ahead in 6 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, transport. However, Oxford performs better in broadband and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.

Is Cardiff safer than Oxford?

Cardiff scores higher for crime safety (72/100) compared to Oxford (48/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.

Which has better schools, Cardiff or Oxford?

Cardiff has 0 schools within 3km, with 0% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Oxford has 15 schools nearby, with 60% rated Good or Outstanding.

Is it cheaper to live in Cardiff or Oxford?

Estimated monthly bills are lower in Cardiff (~ยฃ405/month) compared to Oxford (~ยฃ418/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.