Portsmouth vs Sunderland
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Portsmouth and Sunderland are closely matched overall. Portsmouth performs better in transport and broadband, while Sunderland has the advantage in crime safety and schools. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth or Sunderland better to live in?
Portsmouth and Sunderland are closely matched overall. Portsmouth performs better in transport and broadband, while Sunderland has the advantage in crime safety and schools. Your ideal choice depends on which factors matter most to your lifestyle.
Is Portsmouth safer than Sunderland?
Sunderland scores higher for crime safety (41/100) compared to Portsmouth (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Portsmouth or Sunderland?
Portsmouth has 15 schools within 3km, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sunderland has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Portsmouth or Sunderland?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Sunderland (~£406/month) compared to Portsmouth (~£418/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.