Norwich vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Norwich (East of England) and Portsmouth (South East) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Norwich rates 61/100 (grade C) and Portsmouth rates 50/100 (grade D). Norwich is the safer of the two on crime (48/100 versus 25/100). Portsmouth works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£427 versus ~£446). 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.
Norwich vs Portsmouth: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Norwich comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, affordability, environment. However, Portsmouth performs better in transport and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwich or Portsmouth better to live in?
Norwich comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, affordability, environment. However, Portsmouth performs better in transport and broadband, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Norwich safer than Portsmouth?
Norwich scores higher for crime safety (48/100) compared to Portsmouth (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Norwich or Portsmouth?
Norwich 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 Norwich or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Portsmouth (~£427/month) compared to Norwich (~£446/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.