Bridgwater vs Ilminster
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Bridgwater offers lower property prices by roughly 10%. Bridgwater has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ilminster edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bridgwater
£293,276
Ilminster
£325,338
Crime Rate
Bridgwater
83.1
Ilminster
83.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bridgwater
76.9%
Ilminster
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bridgwater
444.8
Ilminster
347.2
EPC Rating
Bridgwater
68.4
Ilminster
68.4
Median Income
Bridgwater
£28,807
Ilminster
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Bridgwater more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £293,276 versus £325,338 in Ilminster. The most affordable entry point in Bridgwater is a flat at £146,556, while in Ilminster it is a flat at £154,250.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 13% pricier in Ilminster (£248,433 vs £216,128).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bridgwater prices grew faster — 38% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 83.1 offences per 1,000 people, Bridgwater is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Ilminster's 83.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bridgwater is violent-crime, while in Ilminster 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 WestSchool quality favours Ilminster: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 76.9% in Bridgwater.
Bridgwater School Inspection Breakdown
76.9% of 14 schools (10 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ilminster School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bridgwater | Ilminster |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 14 | 1 |
| Primary | 10 | 1 |
| Secondary | 4 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 76.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bridgwater enjoy 444.8 Mbps on average, while Ilminster lags behind at 347.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.4% of premises in Bridgwater and 87.1% in Ilminster. Gigabit availability stands at 86.7% in Bridgwater and 65.4% in Ilminster.
Bridgwater is the faster of the two by 28% on average download speed (445 vs 347 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bridgwater is band C (score 68.4), ahead of Ilminster's band C (score 68.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,363 in Bridgwater and £1,363 in Ilminster. 57.9% of homes in Bridgwater have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Ilminster.
Bridgwater has more energy-efficient housing — 57.9% reach band C or above, vs 57.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bridgwater has a population of 47,730 while Ilminster has 5,961. Median household income is £28,807 in Bridgwater and £28,807 in Ilminster. The median age is 47.3 in Bridgwater and 47.3 in Ilminster. Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Bridgwater and 56.8% in Ilminster.
| Indicator | Bridgwater | Ilminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,730 | 5,961 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,807 | £28,807 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.5% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bridgwater and Ilminster?
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Is Bridgwater or Ilminster safer?
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