Carlisle vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Carlisle (North West) and Portsmouth (South East) 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 Portsmouth rates 50/100 (grade D). Portsmouth works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£427 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 Portsmouth: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Portsmouth leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for transport, broadband, environment. That said, Carlisle has the edge in affordability and healthcare, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlisle or Portsmouth better to live in?
Portsmouth leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for transport, broadband, environment. That said, Carlisle has the edge in affordability and healthcare, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Carlisle safer than Portsmouth?
Carlisle and Portsmouth have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Carlisle or Portsmouth?
Carlisle has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Portsmouth has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Carlisle or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Portsmouth (~£427/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.