Town comparison
Barnstaple vs Ilfracombe
Which is better to live in? 9.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Ilfracombe is about 2% cheaper on average. For families, Barnstaple edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnstaple
£306,501
Ilfracombe
£301,663
Crime Rate
Barnstaple
N/A
Ilfracombe
117.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnstaple
85.7%
Ilfracombe
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnstaple
444.1
Ilfracombe
204.4
EPC Rating
Barnstaple
67.3
Ilfracombe
67.3
Median Income
Barnstaple
£27,065
Ilfracombe
£27,065
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Ilfracombe more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £301,663 versus £306,501 in Barnstaple. The most affordable entry point in Barnstaple is a flat at £156,628, while in Ilfracombe it is a flat at £194,281.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 19% pricier in Ilfracombe (£194,281 vs £156,628).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnstaple prices grew faster — 33% vs -1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Barnstaple and Ilfracombe at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestSchool quality favours Barnstaple: 85.7% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 0% in Ilfracombe.
Barnstaple School Inspection Breakdown
85.7% of 11 schools (9 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ilfracombe School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnstaple | Ilfracombe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 3 |
| Primary | 9 | 2 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 85.7% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Barnstaple enjoy 444.1 Mbps on average, while Ilfracombe lags behind at 204.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.8% of premises in Barnstaple and 92.9% in Ilfracombe. Gigabit availability stands at 88.1% in Barnstaple and 30.7% in Ilfracombe.
Barnstaple is the faster of the two by 117% on average download speed (444 vs 204 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Barnstaple is band C (score 67.3), ahead of Ilfracombe's band C (score 67.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,401 in Barnstaple and £1,401 in Ilfracombe. 52.7% of homes in Barnstaple have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 52.7% in Ilfracombe.
Barnstaple has more energy-efficient housing — 52.7% reach band C or above, vs 52.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Barnstaple has a population of 31,271 while Ilfracombe has 9,199. Median household income is £27,065 in Barnstaple and £27,065 in Ilfracombe. The median age is 48.3 in Barnstaple and 48.3 in Ilfracombe. Employment rates stand at 55% in Barnstaple and 55% in Ilfracombe.
| Indicator | Barnstaple | Ilfracombe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,271 | 9,199 |
| Median Age | 48.3 | 48.3 |
| Median Household Income | £27,065 | £27,065 |
| Employment Rate | 55% | 55% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.3% | 67.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.5% | 28.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnstaple and Ilfracombe?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barnstaple or Ilfracombe?
Is Barnstaple or Ilfracombe safer?
Which has better schools, Barnstaple or Ilfracombe?
Which has faster broadband, Barnstaple or Ilfracombe?
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