Colchester vs Plymouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Colchester comes out ahead in 5 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in schools, affordability, broadband. However, Plymouth performs better in crime safety and transport, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colchester or Plymouth better to live in?
Colchester comes out ahead in 5 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in schools, affordability, broadband. However, Plymouth performs better in crime safety and transport, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Colchester safer than Plymouth?
Plymouth scores higher for crime safety (33/100) compared to Colchester (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Colchester or Plymouth?
Colchester has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Plymouth has 15 schools nearby, with 47% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Colchester or Plymouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Colchester (~£417/month) compared to Plymouth (~£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.