Bideford vs Ilfracombe
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Bideford is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. For families, Bideford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bideford
£301,119
Ilfracombe
£301,663
Crime Rate
Bideford
N/A
Ilfracombe
117.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bideford
100.0%
Ilfracombe
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bideford
416.3
Ilfracombe
204.4
EPC Rating
Bideford
68.4
Ilfracombe
67.3
Median Income
Bideford
£27,547
Ilfracombe
£27,065
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Ilfracombe commands an average of £301,663, compared with £301,119 in Bideford – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Bideford is a flat at £171,409, while in Ilfracombe it is a flat at £194,281.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 15% pricier in Ilfracombe (£322,037 vs £272,629).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bideford prices grew faster — 37% vs -1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Bideford and Ilfracombe at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestFamilies may prefer Bideford, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 0% in Ilfracombe. There are 4 schools in Bideford and 3 in Ilfracombe.
Bideford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 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 | Bideford | Ilfracombe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 3 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 416.3 Mbps in Bideford and 204.4 Mbps in Ilfracombe. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.4% of premises in Bideford and 92.9% in Ilfracombe. Gigabit availability stands at 81.6% in Bideford and 30.7% in Ilfracombe.
Bideford is the faster of the two by 104% on average download speed (416 vs 204 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bideford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.4 (C), while Ilfracombe averages 67.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,382 in Bideford and £1,401 in Ilfracombe. 55.6% of homes in Bideford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 52.7% in Ilfracombe.
Bideford has more energy-efficient housing — 55.6% reach band C or above, vs 52.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,546.5 in Bideford and £27,065 in Ilfracombe. The median age is 49.1 in Bideford and 48.3 in Ilfracombe. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Bideford versus 67.3% in Ilfracombe. Employment rates stand at 53.6% in Bideford and 55% in Ilfracombe.
| Indicator | Bideford | Ilfracombe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,493 | 9,199 |
| Median Age | 49.1 | 48.3 |
| Median Household Income | £27,546.5 | £27,065 |
| Employment Rate | 53.6% | 55% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 67.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 28.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bideford and Ilfracombe?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bideford or Ilfracombe?
Is Bideford or Ilfracombe safer?
Which has better schools, Bideford or Ilfracombe?
Which has faster broadband, Bideford or Ilfracombe?
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