Chard vs Taunton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Chard wins on house prices with a 10% gap. Taunton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chard edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chard
£298,462
Taunton
£332,197
Crime Rate
Chard
83.2
Taunton
83.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chard
100.0%
Taunton
93.3%
Avg Download Speed
Chard
221.4
Taunton
483
EPC Rating
Chard
68.5
Taunton
68.4
Median Income
Chard
£29,142
Taunton
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Taunton commands an average of £332,197, compared with £298,462 in Chard – a difference of 10%. The most affordable entry point in Chard is a flat at £108,125, while in Taunton it is a flat at £153,118.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 29% pricier in Taunton (£153,118 vs £108,125).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chard prices grew faster — 37% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Taunton experience less crime overall, with a rate of 83.1 per 1,000 versus 83.2 per 1,000 in Chard. The most common crime category in Chard 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 WestFamilies may prefer Chard, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 93.3% in Taunton. There are 4 schools in Chard and 19 in Taunton.
Chard School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 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 | Chard | Taunton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 19 |
| Primary | 3 | 16 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 93.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 483.0 Mbps in Taunton and 221.4 Mbps in Chard. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 75.7% of premises in Chard and 99.6% in Taunton. Gigabit availability stands at 37.5% in Chard and 95.3% in Taunton.
Taunton is the faster of the two by 118% on average download speed (483 vs 221 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Chard leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.5 (C), while Taunton averages 68.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,362 in Chard and £1,363 in Taunton. 57.7% of homes in Chard have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Taunton.
Taunton 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 Taunton. The median age is 48.6 in Chard and 47.3 in Taunton. Owner-occupancy is 68.8% in Chard versus 67.6% in Taunton. Employment rates stand at 55.3% in Chard and 56.8% in Taunton.
| Indicator | Chard | Taunton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,287 | 61,667 |
| 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
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