Bowerhill vs Melksham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 1.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Melksham is about 24% cheaper on average. Bowerhill has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bowerhill edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bowerhill
£394,134
Melksham
£316,592
Crime Rate
Bowerhill
48.7
Melksham
48.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bowerhill
100.0%
Melksham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bowerhill
328.9
Melksham
328.9
EPC Rating
Bowerhill
69.2
Melksham
69.2
Median Income
Bowerhill
£29,209
Melksham
£29,209
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Melksham is £316,592, which is 24% less than Bowerhill at £394,134. The most affordable entry point in Bowerhill is a flat at £190,000, while in Melksham it is a flat at £138,625.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 37% pricier in Bowerhill (£190,000 vs £138,625).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowerhill prices grew faster — 78% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 48.7 offences per 1,000 people, Bowerhill is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Melksham's 48.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bowerhill is violent-crime, while in Melksham 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 WestBowerhill has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Melksham. Bowerhill has 2 schools in total, while Melksham has 4.
Bowerhill School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Melksham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (4 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bowerhill | Melksham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 4 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Bowerhill offers faster average downloads at 328.9 Mbps, compared to 328.9 Mbps in Melksham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.4% of premises in Bowerhill and 92.4% in Melksham. Gigabit availability stands at 60.4% in Bowerhill and 60.4% in Melksham.
Bowerhill is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (329 vs 329 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Bowerhill are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.2 (band C) versus 69.2 (band C) in Melksham. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,297 in Bowerhill and £1,297 in Melksham. 60.1% of homes in Bowerhill have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.1% in Melksham.
Bowerhill has more energy-efficient housing — 60.1% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,209 in Bowerhill and £29,209 in Melksham. The median age is 45.5 in Bowerhill and 45.5 in Melksham. Employment rates stand at 60.2% in Bowerhill and 60.2% in Melksham. Owner-occupancy is 66.8% in Bowerhill versus 66.8% in Melksham.
| Indicator | Bowerhill | Melksham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,070 | 18,277 |
| Median Age | 45.5 | 45.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,209 | £29,209 |
| Employment Rate | 60.2% | 60.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.8% | 66.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.2% | 34.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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