Chester vs Gloucester
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Chester (North West) and Gloucester (South West) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Chester rates 60/100 (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 ~£445). 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.
Chester vs Gloucester: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Chester comes out ahead in 3 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in affordability, broadband, healthcare. However, Gloucester performs better in schools and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chester or Gloucester better to live in?
Chester comes out ahead in 3 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in affordability, broadband, healthcare. However, Gloucester performs better in schools and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Chester safer than Gloucester?
Chester and Gloucester have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Chester or Gloucester?
Chester has 15 schools within 3km, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Gloucester has 15 schools nearby, with 80% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Chester or Gloucester?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Gloucester (~£437/month) compared to Chester (~£445/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
Related Comparisons
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.