Town comparison
Canterbury vs Dover
Which is better to live in? 13.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Dover wins on house prices with a 67% gap. Dover has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Canterbury edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Canterbury
£454,813
Dover
£272,408
Crime Rate
Canterbury
80.2
Dover
78.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Canterbury
92.3%
Dover
92.3%
Avg Download Speed
Canterbury
323.5
Dover
376.1
EPC Rating
Canterbury
72
Dover
70
Median Income
Canterbury
£29,518
Dover
£33,352
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Canterbury commands an average of £454,813, compared with £272,408 in Dover – a difference of 67%. The most affordable entry point in Canterbury is a flat at £201,512, while in Dover it is a flat at £154,910.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 49% pricier in Canterbury (£316,541 vs £211,880).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dover prices grew faster — 34% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Dover experience less crime overall, with a rate of 78.1 per 1,000 versus 80.2 per 1,000 in Canterbury. The most common crime category in Canterbury is violent-crime, while in Dover 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 EastFamilies may prefer Canterbury, where 92.3% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 92.3% in Dover. There are 16 schools in Canterbury and 17 in Dover.
Canterbury School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 16 schools (9 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dover School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Canterbury | Dover |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 16 | 17 |
| Primary | 9 | 13 |
| Secondary | 7 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 92.3% | 92.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 376.1 Mbps in Dover and 323.5 Mbps in Canterbury. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Canterbury and 96.1% in Dover. Gigabit availability stands at 57.9% in Canterbury and 71% in Dover.
Dover is the faster of the two by 16% on average download speed (376 vs 324 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Canterbury, scoring 72 on average (band C) compared to 70 (band C) in Dover. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,097 in Canterbury and £1,212 in Dover. 64% of homes in Canterbury have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.7% in Dover.
Canterbury has more energy-efficient housing — 64% reach band C or above, vs 61.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,352 in Dover and £29,518 in Canterbury. The median age is 44.3 in Canterbury and 46.5 in Dover. Employment rates stand at 49.8% in Canterbury and 53% in Dover. Owner-occupancy is 64.8% in Canterbury versus 66.2% in Dover. Canterbury has a population of 55,107 and Dover has 36,349.
| Indicator | Canterbury | Dover |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,107 | 36,349 |
| Median Age | 44.3 | 46.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,518 | £33,352 |
| Employment Rate | 49.8% | 53% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.8% | 66.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 27% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Canterbury and Dover?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Canterbury or Dover?
Is Canterbury or Dover safer?
Which has better schools, Canterbury or Dover?
Which has faster broadband, Canterbury or Dover?
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