Derby vs Wolverhampton
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Derby (East Midlands) and Wolverhampton (West 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 Wolverhampton rates 47/100 (grade D). Derby works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£421 versus ~£441). 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 Wolverhampton: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Derby comes out ahead in 3 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in transport, environment, energy efficiency. However, Wolverhampton performs better in broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Derby or Wolverhampton better to live in?
Derby comes out ahead in 3 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in transport, environment, energy efficiency. However, Wolverhampton performs better in broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Derby safer than Wolverhampton?
Derby and Wolverhampton have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Derby or Wolverhampton?
Derby has 15 schools within 3km, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Wolverhampton has 15 schools nearby, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Derby or Wolverhampton?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Derby (~£421/month) compared to Wolverhampton (~£441/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.