Cinderford vs Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Cinderford is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 5% lower. Coleford (forest Of Dean) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Coleford (forest Of Dean) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cinderford
£269,780
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
£284,151
Crime Rate
Cinderford
48.3
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
48.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cinderford
50.0%
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cinderford
375.7
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
396.3
EPC Rating
Cinderford
69.4
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
69.8
Median Income
Cinderford
£31,839
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
£32,784
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Coleford (forest Of Dean) commands an average of £284,151, compared with £269,780 in Cinderford – a difference of 5%. The most affordable entry point in Cinderford is a flat at £196,857, while in Coleford (forest Of Dean) it is a flat at £129,568.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 52% pricier in Cinderford (£196,857 vs £129,568).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cinderford prices grew faster — 46% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestColeford (forest Of Dean) has a crime rate of 48.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Cinderford at 48.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cinderford is violent-crime, while in Coleford (forest Of Dean) 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 Coleford (forest Of Dean), where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 50% in Cinderford. There are 3 schools in Cinderford and 1 in Coleford (forest Of Dean).
Cinderford School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Coleford (Forest of Dean) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cinderford | Coleford (Forest of Dean) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 1 |
| Primary | 2 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 396.3 Mbps in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and 375.7 Mbps in Cinderford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.4% of premises in Cinderford and 97.7% in Coleford (forest Of Dean). Gigabit availability stands at 71.3% in Cinderford and 75.6% in Coleford (forest Of Dean).
Coleford (forest Of Dean) is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (396 vs 376 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Coleford (forest Of Dean) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.8 (C), while Cinderford averages 69.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,397 in Cinderford and £1,394 in Coleford (forest Of Dean). 59.8% of homes in Cinderford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.4% in Coleford (forest Of Dean).
Coleford (forest Of Dean) has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 59.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,783.5 in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and £31,839 in Cinderford. The median age is 47.4 in Cinderford and 48.1 in Coleford (forest Of Dean). Owner-occupancy is 72.6% in Cinderford versus 72.2% in Coleford (forest Of Dean). Employment rates stand at 54.7% in Cinderford and 54.7% in Coleford (forest Of Dean).
| Indicator | Cinderford | Coleford (Forest of Dean) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,778 | 5,023 |
| Median Age | 47.4 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £31,839 | £32,783.5 |
| Employment Rate | 54.7% | 54.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 72.6% | 72.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.8% | 34.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cinderford and Coleford (forest Of Dean)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cinderford or Coleford (forest Of Dean)?
Is Cinderford or Coleford (forest Of Dean) safer?
Which has better schools, Cinderford or Coleford (forest Of Dean)?
Which has faster broadband, Cinderford or Coleford (forest Of Dean)?
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