Manchester vs Nottingham
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Manchester and Nottingham are closely matched overall. Manchester performs better in transport and broadband, while Nottingham has the advantage in schools and healthcare. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester or Nottingham better to live in?
Manchester and Nottingham are closely matched overall. Manchester performs better in transport and broadband, while Nottingham has the advantage in schools and healthcare. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Manchester safer than Nottingham?
Manchester and Nottingham have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Manchester or Nottingham?
Manchester has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Nottingham has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Nottingham?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Manchester (~£407/month) compared to Nottingham (~£411/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.