Town comparison
Cirencester vs Fairford
Which is better to live in? 7.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Fairford is about 10% cheaper on average. Cirencester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cirencester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cirencester
£524,419
Fairford
£478,257
Crime Rate
Cirencester
45.0
Fairford
45.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cirencester
100.0%
Fairford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cirencester
308.4
Fairford
308.4
EPC Rating
Cirencester
69.5
Fairford
69.5
Median Income
Cirencester
£32,467
Fairford
£32,467
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Fairford more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £478,257 versus £524,419 in Cirencester. The most affordable entry point in Cirencester is a flat at £230,228, while in Fairford it is a flat at £164,167.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 40% pricier in Cirencester (£230,228 vs £164,167).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cirencester prices grew faster — 44% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 45 offences per 1,000 people, Cirencester is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Fairford's 45 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cirencester is violent-crime, while in Fairford 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 100% in Fairford.
Cirencester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (4 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Fairford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cirencester | Fairford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 2 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Cirencester enjoy 308.4 Mbps on average, while Fairford lags behind at 308.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.1% of premises in Cirencester and 94.1% in Fairford. Gigabit availability stands at 55.2% in Cirencester and 55.2% in Fairford.
Cirencester is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (308 vs 308 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Cirencester is band C (score 69.5), ahead of Fairford's band C (score 69.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Cirencester and £1,394 in Fairford. 60.1% of homes in Cirencester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.1% in Fairford.
Cirencester has more energy-efficient housing — 60.1% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Cirencester has a population of 17,715 while Fairford has 4,240. Median household income is £32,466.8 in Cirencester and £32,466.8 in Fairford. The median age is 46.2 in Cirencester and 46.2 in Fairford. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Cirencester and 60.7% in Fairford.
| Indicator | Cirencester | Fairford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,715 | 4,240 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 46.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,466.8 | £32,466.8 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 60.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 67.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 39% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cirencester and Fairford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cirencester or Fairford?
Is Cirencester or Fairford safer?
Which has better schools, Cirencester or Fairford?
Which has faster broadband, Cirencester or Fairford?
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