Bridgwater vs Taunton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bridgwater is about 12% cheaper on average. Bridgwater has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Taunton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bridgwater
£293,276
Taunton
£332,197
Crime Rate
Bridgwater
83.1
Taunton
83.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bridgwater
76.9%
Taunton
93.3%
Avg Download Speed
Bridgwater
444.8
Taunton
483
EPC Rating
Bridgwater
68.4
Taunton
68.4
Median Income
Bridgwater
£28,807
Taunton
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Bridgwater more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £293,276 versus £332,197 in Taunton. The most affordable entry point in Bridgwater is a flat at £146,556, while in Taunton it is a flat at £153,118.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 14% pricier in Taunton (£249,875 vs £216,128).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bridgwater prices grew faster — 38% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Bridgwater (83.1 per 1,000) compared to Taunton (83.1 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Bridgwater is violent-crime, while in Taunton 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 Taunton: 93.3% 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.
Taunton School Inspection Breakdown
93.3% of 19 schools (16 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bridgwater | Taunton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 14 | 19 |
| Primary | 10 | 16 |
| Secondary | 4 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 76.9% | 93.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Taunton enjoy 483.0 Mbps on average, while Bridgwater lags behind at 444.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.4% of premises in Bridgwater and 99.6% in Taunton. Gigabit availability stands at 86.7% in Bridgwater and 95.3% in Taunton.
Taunton is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (483 vs 445 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bridgwater is band C (score 68.4), ahead of Taunton's band C (score 68.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,363 in Bridgwater and £1,363 in Taunton. 57.9% of homes in Bridgwater have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Taunton.
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 Taunton has 61,667. Median household income is £28,807 in Bridgwater and £28,807 in Taunton. The median age is 47.3 in Bridgwater and 47.3 in Taunton. Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Bridgwater and 56.8% in Taunton.
| Indicator | Bridgwater | Taunton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,730 | 61,667 |
| 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
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