Bridgend vs Cowbridge
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bridgend wins on house prices with a 52% gap. Cowbridge has the lower crime rate of the two.
Avg House Price
Bridgend
£251,125
Cowbridge
£526,862
Crime Rate
Bridgend
70.7
Cowbridge
63.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bridgend
N/A
Cowbridge
N/A
Avg Download Speed
Bridgend
426.7
Cowbridge
213.1
EPC Rating
Bridgend
69.6
Cowbridge
70.7
Median Income
Bridgend
£30,528
Cowbridge
£32,675
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in WalesProperty in Cowbridge commands an average of £526,862, compared with £251,125 in Bridgend – a difference of 52%. The most affordable entry point in Bridgend is a flat at £143,871, while in Cowbridge it is a terraced at £372,671.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 67% pricier in Cowbridge (£441,833 vs £143,871).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bridgend prices grew faster — 45% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in WalesResidents of Cowbridge experience less crime overall, with a rate of 63 per 1,000 versus 70.7 per 1,000 in Bridgend. The most common crime category in Bridgend is violent-crime, while in Cowbridge 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 WalesSchool quality data is not fully available for both Bridgend and Cowbridge. Bridgend has 0 schools and Cowbridge has 0 schools.
Bridgend School Inspection Breakdown
Cowbridge School Inspection Breakdown
| Metric | Bridgend | Cowbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 0 | 0 |
| Primary | 0 | 0 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | N/A | N/A |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 426.7 Mbps in Bridgend and 213.1 Mbps in Cowbridge. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.5% of premises in Bridgend and 91.9% in Cowbridge. Gigabit availability stands at 80.8% in Bridgend and 32.8% in Cowbridge.
Bridgend is the faster of the two by 100% on average download speed (427 vs 213 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cowbridge leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.7 (C), while Bridgend averages 69.6 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,199 in Bridgend and £1,270 in Cowbridge. 61.7% of homes in Bridgend have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.2% in Cowbridge.
Cowbridge has more energy-efficient housing — 62.2% reach band C or above, vs 61.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,675 in Cowbridge and £30,528 in Bridgend. The median age is 44.4 in Bridgend and 45.1 in Cowbridge. Owner-occupancy is 70.5% in Bridgend versus 71.9% in Cowbridge. Employment rates stand at 53.6% in Bridgend and 55.8% in Cowbridge.
| Indicator | Bridgend | Cowbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,751 | 3,649 |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 45.1 |
| Median Household Income | £30,528 | £32,675 |
| Employment Rate | 53.6% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.5% | 71.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30% | 37.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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