Cheltenham vs Chester
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Cheltenham comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, healthcare. However, Chester performs better in transport and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheltenham or Chester better to live in?
Cheltenham comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, healthcare. However, Chester performs better in transport and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Cheltenham safer than Chester?
Cheltenham scores higher for crime safety (41/100) compared to Chester (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Cheltenham or Chester?
Cheltenham has 15 schools within 3km, with 93% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Chester has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Cheltenham or Chester?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Chester (~£407/month) compared to Cheltenham (~£426/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.