Oxford vs Sunderland
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Oxford comes out ahead in 5 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, broadband, environment. However, Sunderland performs better in schools, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxford or Sunderland better to live in?
Oxford comes out ahead in 5 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, broadband, environment. However, Sunderland performs better in schools, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Oxford safer than Sunderland?
Oxford scores higher for crime safety (48/100) compared to Sunderland (41/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Oxford or Sunderland?
Oxford has 15 schools within 3km, with 60% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sunderland has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Oxford or Sunderland?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Sunderland (~£406/month) compared to Oxford (~£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.