Newcastle upon Tyne vs Sunderland
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Sunderland leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for crime safety, schools, healthcare. That said, Newcastle upon Tyne has the edge in transport and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Sunderland better to live in?
Sunderland leads in 3 of 8 categories, scoring higher for crime safety, schools, healthcare. That said, Newcastle upon Tyne has the edge in transport and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Newcastle upon Tyne safer than Sunderland?
Sunderland scores higher for crime safety (41/100) compared to Newcastle upon Tyne (33/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Newcastle upon Tyne or Sunderland?
Newcastle upon Tyne has 15 schools within 3km, with 40% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sunderland has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Newcastle upon Tyne or Sunderland?
Monthly bills are similar in both areas (~£406/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
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.