Town comparison
Cinderford vs Gloucester
Which is better to live in? 11.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Cinderford is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 15% lower. Cinderford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Gloucester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cinderford
£269,780
Gloucester
£317,651
Crime Rate
Cinderford
48.3
Gloucester
108.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cinderford
50.0%
Gloucester
90.6%
Avg Download Speed
Cinderford
375.7
Gloucester
450.2
EPC Rating
Cinderford
69.4
Gloucester
69.8
Median Income
Cinderford
£31,839
Gloucester
£30,480
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Gloucester commands an average of £317,651, compared with £269,780 in Cinderford – a difference of 15%. The most affordable entry point in Cinderford is a flat at £196,857, while in Gloucester it is a flat at £137,083.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 44% pricier in Cinderford (£196,857 vs £137,083).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cinderford prices grew faster — 46% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCinderford has a crime rate of 48.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 125% lower than Gloucester at 108.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cinderford is violent-crime, while in Gloucester 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 Gloucester, where 90.6% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 50% in Cinderford. There are 3 schools in Cinderford and 36 in Gloucester.
Cinderford School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Gloucester School Inspection Breakdown
90.6% of 36 schools (28 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cinderford | Gloucester |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 36 |
| Primary | 2 | 28 |
| Secondary | 1 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 90.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 450.2 Mbps in Gloucester and 375.7 Mbps in Cinderford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.4% of premises in Cinderford and 97.9% in Gloucester. Gigabit availability stands at 71.3% in Cinderford and 88.3% in Gloucester.
Gloucester is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (450 vs 376 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Gloucester, scoring 69.8 on average (band C) compared to 69.4 (band C) in Cinderford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,397 in Cinderford and £1,307 in Gloucester. 59.8% of homes in Cinderford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.3% in Gloucester.
Gloucester has more energy-efficient housing — 60.3% reach band C or above, vs 59.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,839 in Cinderford and £30,480 in Gloucester. The median age is 47.4 in Cinderford and 45.7 in Gloucester. Employment rates stand at 54.7% in Cinderford and 59.8% in Gloucester. Owner-occupancy is 72.6% in Cinderford versus 68.1% in Gloucester. Cinderford has a population of 8,778 and Gloucester has 118,562.
| Indicator | Cinderford | Gloucester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,778 | 118,562 |
| Median Age | 47.4 | 45.7 |
| Median Household Income | £31,839 | £30,480 |
| Employment Rate | 54.7% | 59.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 72.6% | 68.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.8% | 35.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cinderford and Gloucester?
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