Northampton vs Sheffield
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Northampton (East Midlands) and Sheffield (Yorkshire and The Humber) 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 Sheffield rates 57/100 (grade C). Sheffield has the stronger schools, with 67% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£436 versus ~£441). 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 Sheffield: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Northampton and Sheffield are closely matched overall. Northampton performs better in environment and healthcare, while Sheffield has the advantage in schools and transport. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northampton or Sheffield better to live in?
Northampton and Sheffield are closely matched overall. Northampton performs better in environment and healthcare, while Sheffield has the advantage in schools and transport. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Northampton safer than Sheffield?
Northampton and Sheffield have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Northampton or Sheffield?
Northampton has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sheffield has 15 schools nearby, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Northampton or Sheffield?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Northampton (~£436/month) compared to Sheffield (~£441/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.