Town comparison
Bishop's Waltham vs East Cowes
Which is better to live in? 14.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, East Cowes wins on house prices with a 42% gap. Bishop's Waltham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bishop's Waltham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bishop's Waltham
£343,737
East Cowes
£242,362
Crime Rate
Bishop's Waltham
55.2
East Cowes
75.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bishop's Waltham
100.0%
East Cowes
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bishop's Waltham
272.6
East Cowes
443.5
EPC Rating
Bishop's Waltham
73.2
East Cowes
67
Median Income
Bishop's Waltham
£35,092
East Cowes
£27,938
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Bishop's Waltham commands an average of £343,737, compared with £242,362 in East Cowes – a difference of 42%. The most affordable entry point in Bishop's Waltham is a flat at £178,721, while in East Cowes it is a flat at £153,618.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 43% pricier in Bishop's Waltham (£463,439 vs £324,816).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, East Cowes prices grew faster — 37% vs 4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Bishop's Waltham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 55.2 per 1,000 versus 75.9 per 1,000 in East Cowes. The most common crime category in Bishop's Waltham is violent-crime, while in East Cowes 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 EastFamilies may prefer Bishop's Waltham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 0% in East Cowes. There are 2 schools in Bishop's Waltham and 2 in East Cowes.
Bishop's Waltham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
East Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bishop's Waltham | East Cowes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 443.5 Mbps in East Cowes and 272.6 Mbps in Bishop's Waltham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.8% of premises in Bishop's Waltham and 94.9% in East Cowes. Gigabit availability stands at 44.9% in Bishop's Waltham and 87% in East Cowes.
East Cowes is the faster of the two by 63% on average download speed (444 vs 273 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bishop's Waltham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.2 (C), while East Cowes averages 67 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,092 in Bishop's Waltham and £1,290 in East Cowes. 71% of homes in Bishop's Waltham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.5% in East Cowes.
Bishop's Waltham has more energy-efficient housing — 71% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,091.5 in Bishop's Waltham and £27,938 in East Cowes. The median age is 44.2 in Bishop's Waltham and 50.5 in East Cowes. Owner-occupancy is 68.3% in Bishop's Waltham versus 67.6% in East Cowes. Employment rates stand at 60.4% in Bishop's Waltham and 48.4% in East Cowes.
| Indicator | Bishop's Waltham | East Cowes |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,957 | 8,424 |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 50.5 |
| Median Household Income | £35,091.5 | £27,938 |
| Employment Rate | 60.4% | 48.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.3% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bishop's Waltham and East Cowes?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bishop's Waltham or East Cowes?
Is Bishop's Waltham or East Cowes safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Bishop's Waltham or East Cowes?
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