Carlisle vs Gloucester
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Carlisle (North West) and Gloucester (South West) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Carlisle rates 54/100 (grade C) and Gloucester rates 53/100 (grade D). Gloucester has the stronger schools, with 80% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Gloucester works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£437 versus ~£444). The full side-by-side breakdown of crime, schools, transport, affordability, broadband, environment and healthcare is below, followed by our verdict on which area fits which kind of buyer.
Carlisle vs Gloucester: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Gloucester leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, transport, environment. That said, Carlisle has the edge in affordability and broadband, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlisle or Gloucester better to live in?
Gloucester leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, transport, environment. That said, Carlisle has the edge in affordability and broadband, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Carlisle safer than Gloucester?
Carlisle and Gloucester have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Carlisle or Gloucester?
Carlisle has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Gloucester has 15 schools nearby, with 80% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Carlisle or Gloucester?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Gloucester (~£437/month) compared to Carlisle (~£444/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.