Northampton vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Northampton and Portsmouth are closely matched overall. Northampton performs better in affordability and environment, while Portsmouth has the advantage in transport and broadband. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northampton or Portsmouth better to live in?
Northampton and Portsmouth are closely matched overall. Northampton performs better in affordability and environment, while Portsmouth has the advantage in transport and broadband. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Northampton safer than Portsmouth?
Northampton and Portsmouth have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Northampton or Portsmouth?
Northampton has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Portsmouth has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Northampton or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Northampton (~£411/month) compared to Portsmouth (~£418/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.