Cardiff vs Sunderland
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Cardiff comes out ahead in 8 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, transport. However, Sunderland performs better in , so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cardiff or Sunderland better to live in?
Cardiff comes out ahead in 8 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, transport. However, Sunderland performs better in , so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Cardiff safer than Sunderland?
Cardiff scores higher for crime safety (72/100) compared to Sunderland (41/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Cardiff or Sunderland?
Cardiff has 0 schools within 3km, with 0% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sunderland has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Cardiff or Sunderland?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Cardiff (~£405/month) compared to Sunderland (~£406/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.