Brightlingsea vs Frinton-on-Sea
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Brightlingsea wins on house prices with a 44% gap. Brightlingsea has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brightlingsea edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brightlingsea
£274,024
Frinton-on-Sea
£490,716
Crime Rate
Brightlingsea
78.9
Frinton-on-Sea
78.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brightlingsea
100.0%
Frinton-on-Sea
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Brightlingsea
361.6
Frinton-on-Sea
329
EPC Rating
Brightlingsea
69.7
Frinton-on-Sea
70
Median Income
Brightlingsea
£30,432
Frinton-on-Sea
£29,832
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Frinton On Sea commands an average of £490,716, compared with £274,024 in Brightlingsea – a difference of 44%. The most affordable entry point in Brightlingsea is a flat at £173,471, while in Frinton On Sea it is a flat at £266,451.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 35% pricier in Frinton On Sea (£266,451 vs £173,471).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Frinton On Sea prices grew faster — 60% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Brightlingsea experience less crime overall, with a rate of 78.9 per 1,000 versus 78.9 per 1,000 in Frinton On Sea. The most common crime category in Brightlingsea is violent-crime, while in Frinton On Sea 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 East of EnglandFamilies may prefer Brightlingsea, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Frinton On Sea. There are 2 schools in Brightlingsea and 2 in Frinton On Sea.
Brightlingsea School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Frinton-on-Sea School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Brightlingsea | Frinton-on-Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 361.6 Mbps in Brightlingsea and 329.0 Mbps in Frinton On Sea. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.9% of premises in Brightlingsea and 98.4% in Frinton On Sea. Gigabit availability stands at 67.7% in Brightlingsea and 59.3% in Frinton On Sea.
Brightlingsea is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (362 vs 329 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Frinton On Sea, scoring 70 on average (band D) compared to 69.7 (band C) in Brightlingsea. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,242 in Brightlingsea and £1,206 in Frinton On Sea. 58.5% of homes in Brightlingsea have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56.4% in Frinton On Sea.
Brightlingsea has more energy-efficient housing — 58.5% reach band C or above, vs 56.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,432 in Brightlingsea and £29,832 in Frinton On Sea. The median age is 46.9 in Brightlingsea and 50.3 in Frinton On Sea. Employment rates stand at 53.7% in Brightlingsea and 46.7% in Frinton On Sea. Owner-occupancy is 69% in Brightlingsea versus 71.5% in Frinton On Sea. Brightlingsea has a population of 8,678 and Frinton On Sea has 4,865.
| Indicator | Brightlingsea | Frinton-on-Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,678 | 4,865 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 50.3 |
| Median Household Income | £30,432 | £29,832 |
| Employment Rate | 53.7% | 46.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 69% | 71.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.2% | 19.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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