Town comparison
Chichester vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? 13.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Portsmouth is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 62% lower. Chichester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chichester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chichester
£550,043
Portsmouth
£339,811
Crime Rate
Chichester
61.9
Portsmouth
112.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chichester
100.0%
Portsmouth
95.9%
Avg Download Speed
Chichester
400.4
Portsmouth
418.4
EPC Rating
Chichester
68.5
Portsmouth
70.1
Median Income
Chichester
£28,263
Portsmouth
£30,661
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £339,811, Portsmouth undercuts Chichester (£550,043) by around 62% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Chichester is a flat at £266,035, while in Portsmouth it is a flat at £177,807.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 58% pricier in Chichester (£737,520 vs £465,561).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Portsmouth prices grew faster — 34% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastChichester has a crime rate of 61.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 82% lower than Portsmouth at 112.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Chichester is violent-crime, while in Portsmouth it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South EastOf the 9 schools in Chichester, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Portsmouth, which has 62 schools, the figure is 95.9%.
Chichester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Portsmouth School Inspection Breakdown
95.9% of 62 schools (50 primary, 12 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Chichester | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 9 | 62 |
| Primary | 7 | 50 |
| Secondary | 2 | 12 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 95.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Portsmouth averages 418.4 Mbps – ahead of Chichester's 400.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.1% of premises in Chichester and 91.7% in Portsmouth. Gigabit availability stands at 73% in Chichester and 80% in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (418 vs 400 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Portsmouth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.1 (C), while Chichester averages 68.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,402 in Chichester and £950 in Portsmouth. 58.1% of homes in Chichester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68% in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth has more energy-efficient housing — 68% reach band C or above, vs 58.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,661 in Portsmouth and £28,263 in Chichester. The median age is 49.4 in Chichester and 39.8 in Portsmouth. Owner-occupancy is 65.4% in Chichester versus 52.3% in Portsmouth. Employment rates stand at 53.8% in Chichester and 57.2% in Portsmouth.
| Indicator | Chichester | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,709 | 223,324 |
| Median Age | 49.4 | 39.8 |
| Median Household Income | £28,263 | £30,661 |
| Employment Rate | 53.8% | 57.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.4% | 52.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.2% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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