Town comparison
Cheltenham vs Cirencester
Which is better to live in? 13.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Cheltenham is about 15% cheaper on average. Cirencester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cirencester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cheltenham
£443,327
Cirencester
£524,419
Crime Rate
Cheltenham
79.2
Cirencester
45.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cheltenham
96.3%
Cirencester
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cheltenham
467.9
Cirencester
308.4
EPC Rating
Cheltenham
72.3
Cirencester
69.5
Median Income
Cheltenham
£32,548
Cirencester
£32,467
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Cheltenham more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £443,327 versus £524,419 in Cirencester. The most affordable entry point in Cheltenham is a flat at £240,625, while in Cirencester it is a flat at £230,228.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 19% pricier in Cirencester (£840,055 vs £681,351).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cirencester prices grew faster — 44% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Cirencester (45 per 1,000) compared to Cheltenham (79.2 per 1,000), a 76% difference. The most common crime category in Cheltenham is violent-crime, while in Cirencester 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 WestSchool quality favours Cirencester: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 96.3% in Cheltenham.
Cheltenham School Inspection Breakdown
96.3% of 33 schools (27 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cirencester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (4 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cheltenham | Cirencester |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 6 |
| Primary | 27 | 4 |
| Secondary | 6 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 96.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Cheltenham enjoy 467.9 Mbps on average, while Cirencester lags behind at 308.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Cheltenham and 94.1% in Cirencester. Gigabit availability stands at 92% in Cheltenham and 55.2% in Cirencester.
Cheltenham is the faster of the two by 52% on average download speed (468 vs 308 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Cheltenham is band C (score 72.3), ahead of Cirencester's band C (score 69.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,075 in Cheltenham and £1,394 in Cirencester. 69.4% of homes in Cheltenham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.1% in Cirencester.
Cheltenham has more energy-efficient housing — 69.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Cheltenham has a population of 115,941 while Cirencester has 17,715. Median household income is £32,548 in Cheltenham and £32,466.8 in Cirencester. The median age is 44.6 in Cheltenham and 46.2 in Cirencester. Employment rates stand at 60.1% in Cheltenham and 60.7% in Cirencester.
| Indicator | Cheltenham | Cirencester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,941 | 17,715 |
| Median Age | 44.6 | 46.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,548 | £32,466.8 |
| Employment Rate | 60.1% | 60.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.2% | 67.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39.5% | 39% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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