Town comparison
Botley vs Colden Common
Which is better to live in? 5.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Colden Common is about 1% cheaper on average. Botley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Botley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Botley
£430,994
Colden Common
£427,667
Crime Rate
Botley
54.7
Colden Common
55.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Botley
100.0%
Colden Common
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Botley
406.8
Colden Common
173.6
EPC Rating
Botley
73.2
Colden Common
72.2
Median Income
Botley
£35,092
Colden Common
£35,169
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Colden Common more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £427,667 versus £430,994 in Botley. The most affordable entry point in Botley is a flat at £225,000, while in Colden Common it is a flat at £168,680.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 33% pricier in Botley (£225,000 vs £168,680).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Botley prices grew faster — 26% vs 6%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastWith 54.7 offences per 1,000 people, Botley is the safer of the two – 1% lower than Colden Common's 55.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Botley is violent-crime, while in Colden Common 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 Botley: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Colden Common.
Botley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Colden Common School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Botley | Colden Common |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Botley enjoy 406.8 Mbps on average, while Colden Common lags behind at 173.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Botley and 77.9% in Colden Common. Gigabit availability stands at 74.5% in Botley and 25.7% in Colden Common.
Botley is the faster of the two by 134% on average download speed (407 vs 174 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Botley is band C (score 73.2), ahead of Colden Common's band C (score 72.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,092 in Botley and £1,162 in Colden Common. 71% of homes in Botley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.3% in Colden Common.
Botley has more energy-efficient housing — 71% reach band C or above, vs 69.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Botley has a population of 3,143 while Colden Common has 3,827. Median household income is £35,168.5 in Colden Common and £35,091.5 in Botley. The median age is 44.2 in Botley and 44 in Colden Common. Employment rates stand at 60.4% in Botley and 61.8% in Colden Common.
| Indicator | Botley | Colden Common |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,143 | 3,827 |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £35,091.5 | £35,168.5 |
| Employment Rate | 60.4% | 61.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.3% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 37.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Botley and Colden Common?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Botley or Colden Common?
Is Botley or Colden Common safer?
Which has better schools, Botley or Colden Common?
Which has faster broadband, Botley or Colden Common?
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