Town comparison
Canterbury vs Folkestone
Which is better to live in? 14.2 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Folkestone wins on house prices with a 37% gap. Folkestone has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Folkestone edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Canterbury
£454,813
Folkestone
£332,015
Crime Rate
Canterbury
80.2
Folkestone
75.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Canterbury
92.3%
Folkestone
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Canterbury
323.5
Folkestone
368.6
EPC Rating
Canterbury
72
Folkestone
70.1
Median Income
Canterbury
£29,518
Folkestone
£32,877
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Canterbury commands an average of £454,813, compared with £332,015 in Folkestone – a difference of 37%. The most affordable entry point in Canterbury is a flat at £201,512, while in Folkestone it is a flat at £266,614.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 24% pricier in Folkestone (£266,614 vs £201,512).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Folkestone prices grew faster — 52% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Folkestone experience less crime overall, with a rate of 75 per 1,000 versus 80.2 per 1,000 in Canterbury. The most common crime category in Canterbury is violent-crime, while in Folkestone 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 Folkestone, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 92.3% in Canterbury. There are 16 schools in Canterbury and 19 in Folkestone.
Canterbury School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 16 schools (9 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Folkestone School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 19 schools (15 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Canterbury | Folkestone |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 16 | 19 |
| Primary | 9 | 15 |
| Secondary | 7 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 92.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 368.6 Mbps in Folkestone and 323.5 Mbps in Canterbury. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Canterbury and 98.1% in Folkestone. Gigabit availability stands at 57.9% in Canterbury and 68.8% in Folkestone.
Folkestone is the faster of the two by 14% on average download speed (369 vs 324 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Canterbury leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Folkestone averages 70.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,097 in Canterbury and £1,184 in Folkestone. 64% of homes in Canterbury have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.6% in Folkestone.
Canterbury has more energy-efficient housing — 64% reach band C or above, vs 63.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,877 in Folkestone and £29,518 in Canterbury. The median age is 44.3 in Canterbury and 47.5 in Folkestone. Owner-occupancy is 64.8% in Canterbury versus 65.8% in Folkestone. Employment rates stand at 49.8% in Canterbury and 52.2% in Folkestone.
| Indicator | Canterbury | Folkestone |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,107 | 51,987 |
| Median Age | 44.3 | 47.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,518 | £32,877 |
| Employment Rate | 49.8% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.8% | 65.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Canterbury and Folkestone?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Canterbury or Folkestone?
Is Canterbury or Folkestone safer?
Which has better schools, Canterbury or Folkestone?
Which has faster broadband, Canterbury or Folkestone?
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