Bearwood vs Ferndown
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bearwood is about 30% cheaper on average. Ferndown has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bearwood edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bearwood
£292,602
Ferndown
£417,956
Crime Rate
Bearwood
56.6
Ferndown
44.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bearwood
100.0%
Ferndown
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bearwood
479.7
Ferndown
321.2
EPC Rating
Bearwood
69.8
Ferndown
68.3
Median Income
Bearwood
£30,213
Ferndown
£29,709
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Bearwood is £292,602, which is 30% less than Ferndown at £417,956. The most affordable entry point in Bearwood is a flat at £160,500, while in Ferndown it is a flat at £211,162.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 24% pricier in Ferndown (£211,162 vs £160,500).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bearwood prices grew faster — 42% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 44.8 offences per 1,000 people, Ferndown is the safer of the two – 26% lower than Bearwood's 56.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bearwood is violent-crime, while in Ferndown 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 WestBearwood has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Ferndown. Bearwood has 1 schools in total, while Ferndown has 3.
Bearwood School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ferndown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bearwood | Ferndown |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 3 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Bearwood offers faster average downloads at 479.7 Mbps, compared to 321.2 Mbps in Ferndown. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Bearwood and 95.2% in Ferndown. Gigabit availability stands at 94.9% in Bearwood and 57.9% in Ferndown.
Bearwood is the faster of the two by 49% on average download speed (480 vs 321 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Bearwood are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.8 (band C) versus 68.3 (band C) in Ferndown. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Bearwood and £1,375 in Ferndown. 63% of homes in Bearwood have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56% in Ferndown.
Bearwood has more energy-efficient housing — 63% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,213 in Bearwood and £29,709 in Ferndown. The median age is 45.5 in Bearwood and 51.1 in Ferndown. Employment rates stand at 55.5% in Bearwood and 52.1% in Ferndown. Owner-occupancy is 62.8% in Bearwood versus 70.4% in Ferndown.
| Indicator | Bearwood | Ferndown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,134 | 13,267 |
| Median Age | 45.5 | 51.1 |
| Median Household Income | £30,213 | £29,709 |
| Employment Rate | 55.5% | 52.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.8% | 70.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.1% | 31.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bearwood and Ferndown?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bearwood or Ferndown?
Is Bearwood or Ferndown safer?
Which has better schools, Bearwood or Ferndown?
Which has faster broadband, Bearwood or Ferndown?
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