Bearsted vs Minster (Swale)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Minster (swale) is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 87% lower. Bearsted has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bearsted edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bearsted
£588,043
Minster (Swale)
£314,244
Crime Rate
Bearsted
0.1
Minster (Swale)
86.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bearsted
100.0%
Minster (Swale)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bearsted
372.2
Minster (Swale)
370.5
EPC Rating
Bearsted
72
Minster (Swale)
72
Median Income
Bearsted
£32,367
Minster (Swale)
£31,675
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £314,244, Minster (swale) undercuts Bearsted (£588,043) by around 87% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bearsted is a flat at £295,600, while in Minster (swale) it is a flat at £164,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 82% pricier in Bearsted (£795,686 vs £437,575).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bearsted prices grew faster — 52% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastBearsted has a crime rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 86800% lower than Minster (swale) at 86.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bearsted is violent-crime, while in Minster (swale) 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 EastOf the 3 schools in Bearsted, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Minster (swale), which has 4 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bearsted School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Minster (Swale) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bearsted | Minster (Swale) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 4 |
| Primary | 3 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bearsted averages 372.2 Mbps – ahead of Minster (swale)'s 370.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.4% of premises in Bearsted and 93.8% in Minster (swale). Gigabit availability stands at 66.6% in Bearsted and 66.5% in Minster (swale).
Bearsted is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (372 vs 371 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bearsted leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Minster (swale) averages 72 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,100 in Bearsted and £1,048 in Minster (swale). 66.5% of homes in Bearsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.9% in Minster (swale).
Minster (swale) has more energy-efficient housing — 66.9% reach band C or above, vs 66.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,367 in Bearsted and £31,675 in Minster (swale). The median age is 43.1 in Bearsted and 42.6 in Minster (swale). Owner-occupancy is 67.4% in Bearsted versus 67% in Minster (swale). Employment rates stand at 60.8% in Bearsted and 56.7% in Minster (swale).
| Indicator | Bearsted | Minster (Swale) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,349 | 16,735 |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 42.6 |
| Median Household Income | £32,367 | £31,675 |
| Employment Rate | 60.8% | 56.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.4% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 23.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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