Town comparison
Portsmouth vs Southampton
Which is better to live in? 15.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Southampton is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 1% lower. Portsmouth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Portsmouth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Portsmouth
£339,811
Southampton
£337,696
Crime Rate
Portsmouth
25.9
Southampton
37.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Portsmouth
95.9%
Southampton
88.0%
Avg Download Speed
Portsmouth
418.4
Southampton
417.8
EPC Rating
Portsmouth
70.1
Southampton
70
Median Income
Portsmouth
£30,661
Southampton
£29,874
House Prices (2025)
At £337,696, Southampton undercuts Portsmouth (£339,811) by around 1% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Portsmouth is a flat at £177,807, while in Southampton it is a flat at £174,283.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 12% pricier in Southampton (£530,368 vs £465,561).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Portsmouth prices grew faster — 34% vs 2%.
Crime & Safety
Portsmouth has a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 44% lower than Southampton at 37.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Portsmouth is violent-crime, while in Southampton it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Of the 62 schools in Portsmouth, 95.9% are in the top two inspection bands. In Southampton, which has 66 schools, the figure is 88%.
Portsmouth School Inspection Breakdown
95.9% of 62 schools (50 primary, 12 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Southampton School Inspection Breakdown
88% of 66 schools (53 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Portsmouth | Southampton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 62 | 66 |
| Primary | 50 | 53 |
| Secondary | 12 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 95.9% | 88% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Portsmouth averages 418.4 Mbps – ahead of Southampton's 417.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.7% of premises in Portsmouth and 88.5% in Southampton. Gigabit availability stands at 80% in Portsmouth and 80.1% in Southampton.
Portsmouth is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (418 vs 418 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Portsmouth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.1 (C), while Southampton averages 70 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £950 in Portsmouth and £1,003 in Southampton. 68% of homes in Portsmouth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64% in Southampton.
Portsmouth has more energy-efficient housing — 68% reach band C or above, vs 64% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,661 in Portsmouth and £29,874 in Southampton. The median age is 39.8 in Portsmouth and 38.7 in Southampton. Owner-occupancy is 52.3% in Portsmouth versus 47.7% in Southampton. Employment rates stand at 57.2% in Portsmouth and 57.9% in Southampton.
| Indicator | Portsmouth | Southampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,324 | 249,633 |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 38.7 |
| Median Household Income | £30,661 | £29,874 |
| Employment Rate | 57.2% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 52.3% | 47.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30% | 31.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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