Leeds vs Sheffield

Which is better to live in? (2026)

51

Leeds

Yorkshire and The Humber

Grade D
57

Sheffield

Yorkshire and The Humber

Grade CHigher Overall
Leeds: 1 wins|Sheffield: 4 wins

Category Comparison

Leeds
Category
Sheffield
51/100
๐Ÿ†Overall Score
BETTER57/100
25/100
๐Ÿ”’Crime Safety
25/100
40% Good/Outstanding
๐ŸŽ“Schools
BETTER67% Good/Outstanding
91/100BETTER
๐Ÿš†Transport
90/100
72/100
๐Ÿ’ทAffordability
BETTER79/100
~ยฃ407/mo
๐ŸงพMonthly Bills
~ยฃ407/mo
70/100
๐Ÿ“ถBroadband
70/100
25/100
๐ŸŒฟEnvironment
BETTER33/100
25/100
๐ŸฅHealthcare
25/100

Our Verdict

Sheffield leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, affordability, environment. That said, Leeds has the edge in transport, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Leeds or Sheffield better to live in?

Sheffield leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, affordability, environment. That said, Leeds has the edge in transport, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.

Is Leeds safer than Sheffield?

Leeds and Sheffield have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.

Which has better schools, Leeds or Sheffield?

Leeds has 15 schools within 3km, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sheffield has 15 schools nearby, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding.

Is it cheaper to live in Leeds or Sheffield?

Monthly bills are similar in both areas (~ยฃ407/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.