Chard vs Ilminster
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Chard wins on house prices with a 8% gap. Chard has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chard edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chard
£298,462
Ilminster
£325,338
Crime Rate
Chard
83.2
Ilminster
83.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chard
100.0%
Ilminster
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Chard
221.4
Ilminster
347.2
EPC Rating
Chard
68.5
Ilminster
68.4
Median Income
Chard
£29,142
Ilminster
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £298,462, Chard undercuts Ilminster (£325,338) by around 8% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Chard is a flat at £108,125, while in Ilminster it is a flat at £154,250.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 30% pricier in Ilminster (£154,250 vs £108,125).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chard prices grew faster — 37% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Chard experience less crime overall, with a rate of 83.2 per 1,000 versus 83.4 per 1,000 in Ilminster. The most common crime category in Chard 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 WestOf the 4 schools in Chard, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Ilminster, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Chard School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 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 | Chard | Ilminster |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 1 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ilminster averages 347.2 Mbps – ahead of Chard's 221.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 75.7% of premises in Chard and 87.1% in Ilminster. Gigabit availability stands at 37.5% in Chard and 65.4% in Ilminster.
Ilminster is the faster of the two by 57% on average download speed (347 vs 221 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Chard, scoring 68.5 on average (band C) compared to 68.4 (band C) in Ilminster. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,362 in Chard and £1,363 in Ilminster. 57.7% of homes in Chard have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Ilminster.
Ilminster has more energy-efficient housing — 57.9% reach band C or above, vs 57.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,141.8 in Chard and £28,807 in Ilminster. The median age is 48.6 in Chard and 47.3 in Ilminster. Employment rates stand at 55.3% in Chard and 56.8% in Ilminster. Owner-occupancy is 68.8% in Chard versus 67.6% in Ilminster. Chard has a population of 14,287 and Ilminster has 5,961.
| Indicator | Chard | Ilminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,287 | 5,961 |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £29,141.8 | £28,807 |
| Employment Rate | 55.3% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.8% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.2% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Chard and Ilminster?
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