Peterborough vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Peterborough (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, Peterborough rates 52/100 (grade D) and Portsmouth rates 50/100 (grade D). Portsmouth works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£427 versus ~£428). 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.
Peterborough vs Portsmouth: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Peterborough and Portsmouth are closely matched overall. Peterborough 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 Peterborough or Portsmouth better to live in?
Peterborough and Portsmouth are closely matched overall. Peterborough 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 Peterborough safer than Portsmouth?
Peterborough and Portsmouth have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Peterborough or Portsmouth?
Peterborough 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 Peterborough or Portsmouth?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Portsmouth (~£427/month) compared to Peterborough (~£428/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.