Axminster vs Lyme Regis
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Axminster wins on house prices with a 19% gap. For families, Axminster edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Axminster
£381,844
Lyme Regis
£470,807
Crime Rate
Axminster
N/A
Lyme Regis
44.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Axminster
100.0%
Lyme Regis
50.0%
Avg Download Speed
Axminster
264.3
Lyme Regis
379.5
EPC Rating
Axminster
68.5
Lyme Regis
68.6
Median Income
Axminster
£29,142
Lyme Regis
£29,812
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £381,844, Axminster undercuts Lyme Regis (£470,807) by around 19% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Axminster is a flat at £127,903, while in Lyme Regis it is a flat at £318,629.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 60% pricier in Lyme Regis (£318,629 vs £127,903).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Axminster prices grew faster — 39% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Axminster and Lyme Regis at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestOf the 3 schools in Axminster, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Lyme Regis, which has 2 schools, the figure is 50%.
Axminster School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lyme Regis School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Axminster | Lyme Regis |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 50% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Lyme Regis averages 379.5 Mbps – ahead of Axminster's 264.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 73.8% of premises in Axminster and 91% in Lyme Regis. Gigabit availability stands at 48% in Axminster and 72.6% in Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis is the faster of the two by 44% on average download speed (380 vs 264 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Lyme Regis, scoring 68.6 on average (band C) compared to 68.5 (band C) in Axminster. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,362 in Axminster and £1,358 in Lyme Regis. 57.7% of homes in Axminster have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.2% in Lyme Regis.
Axminster has more energy-efficient housing — 57.7% reach band C or above, vs 57.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,811.5 in Lyme Regis and £29,141.8 in Axminster. The median age is 48.6 in Axminster and 51.2 in Lyme Regis. Employment rates stand at 55.3% in Axminster and 52.2% in Lyme Regis. Owner-occupancy is 68.8% in Axminster versus 71.3% in Lyme Regis. Axminster has a population of 6,094 and Lyme Regis has 3,741.
| Indicator | Axminster | Lyme Regis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 3,741 |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 51.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,141.8 | £29,811.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55.3% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.8% | 71.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.2% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Axminster and Lyme Regis?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Axminster or Lyme Regis?
Is Axminster or Lyme Regis safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Axminster or Lyme Regis?
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