Town comparison
Bridgend vs Port Talbot
Which is better to live in? 11.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Port Talbot wins on house prices with a 60% gap. Port Talbot has the lower crime rate of the two.
Avg House Price
Bridgend
£251,125
Port Talbot
£156,750
Crime Rate
Bridgend
70.7
Port Talbot
69.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bridgend
N/A
Port Talbot
N/A
Avg Download Speed
Bridgend
426.7
Port Talbot
369.3
EPC Rating
Bridgend
69.6
Port Talbot
73.7
Median Income
Bridgend
£30,528
Port Talbot
£30,770
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in WalesAt £156,750, Port Talbot undercuts Bridgend (£251,125) by around 60% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bridgend is a flat at £143,871, while in Port Talbot it is a flat at £89,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 62% pricier in Bridgend (£143,871 vs £89,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Port Talbot prices grew faster — 53% vs 45%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in WalesResidents of Port Talbot experience less crime overall, with a rate of 69.3 per 1,000 versus 70.7 per 1,000 in Bridgend. The most common crime category in Bridgend is violent-crime, while in Port Talbot 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 Port Talbot. Bridgend has 0 schools and Port Talbot has 0 schools.
Bridgend School Inspection Breakdown
Port Talbot School Inspection Breakdown
| Metric | Bridgend | Port Talbot |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 0 | 0 |
| Primary | 0 | 0 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | N/A | N/A |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bridgend averages 426.7 Mbps – ahead of Port Talbot's 369.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.5% of premises in Bridgend and 94.4% in Port Talbot. Gigabit availability stands at 80.8% in Bridgend and 69.4% in Port Talbot.
Bridgend is the faster of the two by 16% on average download speed (427 vs 369 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Port Talbot leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.7 (C), while Bridgend averages 69.6 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,199 in Bridgend and £1,178 in Port Talbot. 61.7% of homes in Bridgend have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.5% in Port Talbot.
Port Talbot has more energy-efficient housing — 67.5% reach band C or above, vs 61.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,770 in Port Talbot and £30,528 in Bridgend. The median age is 44.4 in Bridgend and 44.5 in Port Talbot. Owner-occupancy is 70.5% in Bridgend versus 66.5% in Port Talbot. Employment rates stand at 53.6% in Bridgend and 50.5% in Port Talbot.
| Indicator | Bridgend | Port Talbot |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,751 | 31,557 |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 44.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,528 | £30,770 |
| Employment Rate | 53.6% | 50.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.5% | 66.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30% | 25.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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