Derby vs Nottingham
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Derby (East Midlands) and Nottingham (East Midlands) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Derby rates 49/100 (grade D) and Nottingham rates 57/100 (grade C). Nottingham has the stronger schools, with 73% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Derby works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£421 versus ~£459). 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.
Derby vs Nottingham: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Nottingham leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, affordability, healthcare. That said, Derby has the edge in transport and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Derby or Nottingham better to live in?
Nottingham leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, affordability, healthcare. That said, Derby has the edge in transport and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Derby safer than Nottingham?
Derby and Nottingham have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Derby or Nottingham?
Derby has 15 schools within 3km, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Nottingham has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Derby or Nottingham?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Derby (~£421/month) compared to Nottingham (~£459/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.