Ashtead vs Cranleigh
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Cranleigh wins on house prices with a 5% gap. Ashtead has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ashtead edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ashtead
£694,684
Cranleigh
£664,392
Crime Rate
Ashtead
56.0
Cranleigh
58.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ashtead
100.0%
Cranleigh
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Ashtead
369.9
Cranleigh
361.2
EPC Rating
Ashtead
67.9
Cranleigh
68.5
Median Income
Ashtead
£37,374
Cranleigh
£36,053
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Ashtead commands an average of £694,684, compared with £664,392 in Cranleigh – a difference of 5%. The most affordable entry point in Ashtead is a flat at £331,010, while in Cranleigh it is a flat at £320,569.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 39% pricier in Ashtead (£606,447 vs £435,554).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ashtead prices grew faster — 17% vs 4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Ashtead experience less crime overall, with a rate of 56 per 1,000 versus 58.9 per 1,000 in Cranleigh. The most common crime category in Ashtead is violent-crime, while in Cranleigh 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 66.7% in Cranleigh. There are 6 schools in Ashtead and 4 in Cranleigh.
Ashtead School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cranleigh School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ashtead | Cranleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 4 |
| Primary | 5 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 369.9 Mbps in Ashtead and 361.2 Mbps in Cranleigh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.4% of premises in Ashtead and 92% in Cranleigh. Gigabit availability stands at 69.4% in Ashtead and 68.2% in Cranleigh.
Ashtead is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (370 vs 361 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Cranleigh, scoring 68.5 on average (band C) compared to 67.9 (band C) in Ashtead. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,489 in Ashtead and £1,434 in Cranleigh. 55% of homes in Ashtead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.6% in Cranleigh.
Cranleigh has more energy-efficient housing — 55.6% reach band C or above, vs 55% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,374 in Ashtead and £36,052.5 in Cranleigh. The median age is 47.8 in Ashtead and 47.7 in Cranleigh. Employment rates stand at 58.5% in Ashtead and 56.2% in Cranleigh. Owner-occupancy is 73.2% in Ashtead versus 68.6% in Cranleigh. Ashtead has a population of 14,830 and Cranleigh has 10,430.
| Indicator | Ashtead | Cranleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,830 | 10,430 |
| Median Age | 47.8 | 47.7 |
| Median Household Income | £37,374 | £36,052.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.5% | 56.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 73.2% | 68.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.1% | 41.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ashtead and Cranleigh?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ashtead or Cranleigh?
Is Ashtead or Cranleigh safer?
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