Chatham vs Minster (Swale)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Minster (swale) is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 2% lower. Chatham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Minster (swale) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chatham
£321,268
Minster (Swale)
£314,244
Crime Rate
Chatham
0.3
Minster (Swale)
86.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chatham
91.3%
Minster (Swale)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Chatham
468.9
Minster (Swale)
370.5
EPC Rating
Chatham
72
Minster (Swale)
72
Median Income
Chatham
£32,388
Minster (Swale)
£31,675
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Chatham commands an average of £321,268, compared with £314,244 in Minster (swale) – a difference of 2%. The most affordable entry point in Chatham is a flat at £177,530, while in Minster (swale) it is a flat at £164,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 19% pricier in Chatham (£272,719 vs £228,367).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chatham prices grew faster — 44% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastChatham has a crime rate of 0.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 28867% lower than Minster (swale) at 86.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Chatham is violent-crime, while in Minster (swale) 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 Minster (swale), where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 91.3% in Chatham. There are 27 schools in Chatham and 4 in Minster (swale).
Chatham School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Minster (Swale) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Chatham | Minster (Swale) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 4 |
| Primary | 20 | 3 |
| Secondary | 7 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 468.9 Mbps in Chatham and 370.5 Mbps in Minster (swale). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.8% of premises in Chatham and 93.8% in Minster (swale). Gigabit availability stands at 91.6% in Chatham and 66.5% in Minster (swale).
Chatham is the faster of the two by 27% on average download speed (469 vs 371 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Chatham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Minster (swale) averages 72 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,073 in Chatham and £1,048 in Minster (swale). 67.3% of homes in Chatham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.9% in Minster (swale).
Chatham has more energy-efficient housing — 67.3% reach band C or above, vs 66.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,388 in Chatham and £31,675 in Minster (swale). The median age is 42.4 in Chatham and 42.6 in Minster (swale). Owner-occupancy is 67.4% in Chatham versus 67% in Minster (swale). Employment rates stand at 60.5% in Chatham and 56.7% in Minster (swale).
| Indicator | Chatham | Minster (Swale) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,956 | 16,735 |
| Median Age | 42.4 | 42.6 |
| Median Household Income | £32,388 | £31,675 |
| Employment Rate | 60.5% | 56.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.4% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.3% | 23.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Chatham or Minster (swale)?
Is Chatham or Minster (swale) safer?
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