Town comparison
Cinderford vs Ross-on-Wye
Which is better to live in? 7.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Cinderford is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 25% lower. Ross On Wye has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ross On Wye edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cinderford
£269,780
Ross-on-Wye
£360,141
Crime Rate
Cinderford
48.3
Ross-on-Wye
30.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cinderford
50.0%
Ross-on-Wye
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cinderford
375.7
Ross-on-Wye
380.6
EPC Rating
Cinderford
69.4
Ross-on-Wye
68.6
Median Income
Cinderford
£31,839
Ross-on-Wye
£30,196
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Ross On Wye commands an average of £360,141, compared with £269,780 in Cinderford – a difference of 25%. The most affordable entry point in Cinderford is a flat at £196,857, while in Ross On Wye it is a flat at £137,956.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 43% pricier in Cinderford (£196,857 vs £137,956).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cinderford prices grew faster — 46% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestRoss On Wye has a crime rate of 30.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 59% lower than Cinderford at 48.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cinderford is violent-crime, while in Ross On Wye 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 Ross On Wye, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 50% in Cinderford. There are 3 schools in Cinderford and 4 in Ross On Wye.
Cinderford School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ross-on-Wye School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cinderford | Ross-on-Wye |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 4 |
| Primary | 2 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 380.6 Mbps in Ross On Wye and 375.7 Mbps in Cinderford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.4% of premises in Cinderford and 90.3% in Ross On Wye. Gigabit availability stands at 71.3% in Cinderford and 73% in Ross On Wye.
Ross On Wye is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (381 vs 376 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Cinderford, scoring 69.4 on average (band C) compared to 68.6 (band C) in Ross On Wye. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,397 in Cinderford and £1,412 in Ross On Wye. 59.8% of homes in Cinderford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.7% in Ross On Wye.
Cinderford has more energy-efficient housing — 59.8% reach band C or above, vs 57.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,839 in Cinderford and £30,196 in Ross On Wye. The median age is 47.4 in Cinderford and 48 in Ross On Wye. Employment rates stand at 54.7% in Cinderford and 55.5% in Ross On Wye. Owner-occupancy is 72.6% in Cinderford versus 69.5% in Ross On Wye. Cinderford has a population of 8,778 and Ross On Wye has 10,993.
| Indicator | Cinderford | Ross-on-Wye |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,778 | 10,993 |
| Median Age | 47.4 | 48 |
| Median Household Income | £31,839 | £30,196 |
| Employment Rate | 54.7% | 55.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 72.6% | 69.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.8% | 30.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cinderford and Ross On Wye?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cinderford or Ross On Wye?
Is Cinderford or Ross On Wye safer?
Which has better schools, Cinderford or Ross On Wye?
Which has faster broadband, Cinderford or Ross On Wye?
Keep exploring