Cheltenham vs Oxford
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Cheltenham and Oxford are closely matched overall. Cheltenham performs better in schools and transport, while Oxford has the advantage in crime safety and broadband. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheltenham or Oxford better to live in?
Cheltenham and Oxford are closely matched overall. Cheltenham performs better in schools and transport, while Oxford has the advantage in crime safety and broadband. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Cheltenham safer than Oxford?
Oxford scores higher for crime safety (48/100) compared to Cheltenham (41/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Cheltenham or Oxford?
Cheltenham has 15 schools within 3km, with 93% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Oxford has 15 schools nearby, with 60% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Cheltenham or Oxford?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Oxford (~£418/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.