Chatham vs Dartford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Chatham is about 22% cheaper on average. For families, Dartford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chatham
£321,268
Dartford
£412,083
Crime Rate
Chatham
0.3
Dartford
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chatham
91.3%
Dartford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Chatham
468.9
Dartford
394.1
EPC Rating
Chatham
72
Dartford
71.4
Median Income
Chatham
£32,388
Dartford
£36,754
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Chatham more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £321,268 versus £412,083 in Dartford. The most affordable entry point in Chatham is a flat at £177,530, while in Dartford it is a flat at £228,132.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 35% pricier in Dartford (£719,719 vs £467,092).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chatham prices grew faster — 44% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime rate data is not available for both Chatham and Dartford at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South EastSchool quality favours Dartford: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 91.3% in Chatham.
Chatham School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dartford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 25 schools (16 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Chatham | Dartford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 25 |
| Primary | 20 | 16 |
| Secondary | 7 | 9 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Chatham enjoy 468.9 Mbps on average, while Dartford lags behind at 394.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.8% of premises in Chatham and 96.4% in Dartford. Gigabit availability stands at 91.6% in Chatham and 75.3% in Dartford.
Chatham is the faster of the two by 19% on average download speed (469 vs 394 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Chatham is band C (score 72), ahead of Dartford's band C (score 71.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,073 in Chatham and £994 in Dartford. 67.3% of homes in Chatham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.9% in Dartford.
Chatham has more energy-efficient housing — 67.3% reach band C or above, vs 64.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Chatham has a population of 76,956 while Dartford has 68,650. Median household income is £36,753.5 in Dartford and £32,388 in Chatham. The median age is 42.4 in Chatham and 40.4 in Dartford. Employment rates stand at 60.5% in Chatham and 62.6% in Dartford.
| Indicator | Chatham | Dartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,956 | 68,650 |
| Median Age | 42.4 | 40.4 |
| Median Household Income | £32,388 | £36,753.5 |
| Employment Rate | 60.5% | 62.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.4% | 67.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.3% | 32% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Chatham and Dartford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Chatham or Dartford?
Is Chatham or Dartford safer?
Which has better schools, Chatham or Dartford?
Which has faster broadband, Chatham or Dartford?
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