Derby vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Derby (East Midlands) and Portsmouth (South East) 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 Portsmouth rates 50/100 (grade D). Portsmouth has the stronger schools, with 53% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Derby works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£421 versus ~£427). 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 Portsmouth: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Portsmouth leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, broadband, energy efficiency. That said, Derby has the edge in environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Derby or Portsmouth better to live in?
Portsmouth leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, broadband, energy efficiency. That said, Derby has the edge in environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Derby safer than Portsmouth?
Derby and Portsmouth have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Derby or Portsmouth?
Derby has 15 schools within 3km, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Portsmouth has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Derby or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Derby (~£421/month) compared to Portsmouth (~£427/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.