Bembridge vs Portsmouth
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Portsmouth is about 24% cheaper on average. Bembridge has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bembridge edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bembridge
£422,990
Portsmouth
£339,811
Crime Rate
Bembridge
76.0
Portsmouth
112.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bembridge
100.0%
Portsmouth
95.9%
Avg Download Speed
Bembridge
379.2
Portsmouth
418.4
EPC Rating
Bembridge
67
Portsmouth
70.1
Median Income
Bembridge
£27,938
Portsmouth
£30,661
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Portsmouth more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £339,811 versus £422,990 in Bembridge. The most affordable entry point in Bembridge is a flat at £239,769, while in Portsmouth it is a flat at £177,807.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 62% pricier in Bembridge (£466,400 vs £287,387).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Portsmouth prices grew faster — 34% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Bembridge (76 per 1,000) compared to Portsmouth (112.9 per 1,000), a 49% difference. The most common crime category in Bembridge is violent-crime, while in Portsmouth 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 EastSchool quality favours Bembridge: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 95.9% in Portsmouth.
Bembridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Portsmouth School Inspection Breakdown
95.9% of 62 schools (50 primary, 12 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bembridge | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 62 |
| Primary | 1 | 50 |
| Secondary | 0 | 12 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 95.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Portsmouth enjoy 418.4 Mbps on average, while Bembridge lags behind at 379.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.3% of premises in Bembridge and 91.7% in Portsmouth. Gigabit availability stands at 72.1% in Bembridge and 80% in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (418 vs 379 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Portsmouth is band C (score 70.1), ahead of Bembridge's band C (score 67). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in Bembridge and £950 in Portsmouth. 54.5% of homes in Bembridge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68% in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth has more energy-efficient housing — 68% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bembridge has a population of 3,564 while Portsmouth has 223,324. Median household income is £30,661 in Portsmouth and £27,938 in Bembridge. The median age is 50.5 in Bembridge and 39.8 in Portsmouth. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in Bembridge and 57.2% in Portsmouth.
| Indicator | Bembridge | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,564 | 223,324 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 39.8 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £30,661 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 57.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 52.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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