Manchester vs Northampton
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Manchester (North West) and Northampton (East Midlands) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Manchester rates 54/100 (grade C) and Northampton rates 54/100 (grade C). Manchester works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£428 versus ~£436). 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.
Manchester vs Northampton: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Manchester comes out ahead in 3 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in transport, affordability, broadband. However, Northampton performs better in healthcare and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester or Northampton better to live in?
Manchester comes out ahead in 3 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in transport, affordability, broadband. However, Northampton performs better in healthcare and energy efficiency, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Manchester safer than Northampton?
Manchester and Northampton have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Manchester or Northampton?
Manchester has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Northampton?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Manchester (~£428/month) compared to Northampton (~£436/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.