Ashtead vs Caterham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Caterham is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 30% lower. Caterham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ashtead edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ashtead
£694,684
Caterham
£534,519
Crime Rate
Ashtead
56.0
Caterham
55.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ashtead
100.0%
Caterham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ashtead
369.9
Caterham
390.3
EPC Rating
Ashtead
67.9
Caterham
67.6
Median Income
Ashtead
£37,374
Caterham
£35,440
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Ashtead commands an average of £694,684, compared with £534,519 in Caterham – a difference of 30%. The most affordable entry point in Ashtead is a flat at £331,010, while in Caterham it is a flat at £280,876.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 36% pricier in Ashtead (£606,447 vs £445,826).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Caterham prices grew faster — 24% vs 17%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCaterham has a crime rate of 55.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 1% lower than Ashtead at 56 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Ashtead is violent-crime, while in Caterham 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 EastFamilies may prefer Ashtead, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Caterham. There are 6 schools in Ashtead and 6 in Caterham.
Ashtead School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Caterham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ashtead | Caterham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 6 |
| Primary | 5 | 5 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 390.3 Mbps in Caterham and 369.9 Mbps in Ashtead. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.4% of premises in Ashtead and 96.1% in Caterham. Gigabit availability stands at 69.4% in Ashtead and 74.3% in Caterham.
Caterham is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (390 vs 370 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Ashtead leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 67.9 (C), while Caterham averages 67.6 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,489 in Ashtead and £1,184 in Caterham. 55% of homes in Ashtead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 49.7% in Caterham.
Ashtead has more energy-efficient housing — 55% reach band C or above, vs 49.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,374 in Ashtead and £35,439.5 in Caterham. The median age is 47.8 in Ashtead and 42.4 in Caterham. Owner-occupancy is 73.2% in Ashtead versus 64.6% in Caterham. Employment rates stand at 58.5% in Ashtead and 60.5% in Caterham.
| Indicator | Ashtead | Caterham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,830 | 22,757 |
| Median Age | 47.8 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £37,374 | £35,439.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.5% | 60.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 73.2% | 64.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.1% | 39.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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