Northampton vs Salisbury
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Northampton (East Midlands) and Salisbury (South West) 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 Salisbury rates 59/100 (grade C). Salisbury is the safer of the two on crime (33/100 versus 25/100). Northampton has the stronger schools, with 53% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£436 versus ~£455). 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 Salisbury: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Northampton comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in schools, transport, broadband. However, Salisbury performs better in crime safety and affordability, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northampton or Salisbury better to live in?
Northampton comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in schools, transport, broadband. However, Salisbury performs better in crime safety and affordability, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Northampton safer than Salisbury?
Salisbury scores higher for crime safety (33/100) compared to Northampton (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Northampton or Salisbury?
Northampton has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Salisbury has 15 schools nearby, with 47% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Northampton or Salisbury?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Northampton (~£436/month) compared to Salisbury (~£455/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
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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.