Bearwood vs Swanage
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bearwood wins on house prices with a 28% gap. Swanage has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bearwood edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bearwood
£292,602
Swanage
£404,468
Crime Rate
Bearwood
56.6
Swanage
39.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bearwood
100.0%
Swanage
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bearwood
479.7
Swanage
318.6
EPC Rating
Bearwood
69.8
Swanage
68.3
Median Income
Bearwood
£30,213
Swanage
£29,709
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £292,602, Bearwood undercuts Swanage (£404,468) by around 28% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bearwood is a flat at £160,500, while in Swanage it is a flat at £278,951.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 42% pricier in Swanage (£278,951 vs £160,500).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bearwood prices grew faster — 42% vs 19%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Swanage experience less crime overall, with a rate of 39.7 per 1,000 versus 56.6 per 1,000 in Bearwood. The most common crime category in Bearwood is violent-crime, while in Swanage 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 WestOf the 1 schools in Bearwood, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Swanage, which has 4 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bearwood School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Swanage School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bearwood | Swanage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bearwood averages 479.7 Mbps – ahead of Swanage's 318.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Bearwood and 95% in Swanage. Gigabit availability stands at 94.9% in Bearwood and 57.4% in Swanage.
Bearwood is the faster of the two by 51% on average download speed (480 vs 319 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bearwood leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.8 (C), while Swanage averages 68.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Bearwood and £1,375 in Swanage. 63% of homes in Bearwood have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56% in Swanage.
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 Swanage. The median age is 45.5 in Bearwood and 51.1 in Swanage. Owner-occupancy is 62.8% in Bearwood versus 70.4% in Swanage. Employment rates stand at 55.5% in Bearwood and 52.1% in Swanage.
| Indicator | Bearwood | Swanage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,134 | 9,115 |
| 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 Swanage?
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