Cardiff vs Southampton
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Cardiff comes out ahead in 5 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Southampton performs better in broadband and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cardiff or Southampton better to live in?
Cardiff comes out ahead in 5 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Southampton performs better in broadband and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Cardiff safer than Southampton?
Cardiff scores higher for crime safety (72/100) compared to Southampton (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Cardiff or Southampton?
Cardiff has 0 schools within 3km, with 0% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Southampton has 15 schools nearby, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Cardiff or Southampton?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Cardiff (~£405/month) compared to Southampton (~£418/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
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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.