Northampton vs Peterborough
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Northampton (East Midlands) and Peterborough (East of England) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Northampton rates 54/100 (grade C) and Peterborough rates 52/100 (grade D). Peterborough 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.
Northampton vs Peterborough: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Northampton and Peterborough are closely matched overall. Northampton performs better in transport and affordability, while Peterborough has the advantage in broadband and energy efficiency. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northampton or Peterborough better to live in?
Northampton and Peterborough are closely matched overall. Northampton performs better in transport and affordability, while Peterborough has the advantage in broadband and energy efficiency. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Northampton safer than Peterborough?
Northampton and Peterborough have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Northampton or Peterborough?
Northampton has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Peterborough has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Northampton or Peterborough?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Peterborough (~£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.