Town comparison
Cirencester vs Gloucester
Which is better to live in? 15.0 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Gloucester is about 65% 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
Gloucester
£317,651
Crime Rate
Cirencester
45.0
Gloucester
108.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cirencester
100.0%
Gloucester
90.6%
Avg Download Speed
Cirencester
308.4
Gloucester
450.2
EPC Rating
Cirencester
69.5
Gloucester
69.8
Median Income
Cirencester
£32,467
Gloucester
£30,480
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Gloucester more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £317,651 versus £524,419 in Cirencester. The most affordable entry point in Cirencester is a flat at £230,228, while in Gloucester it is a flat at £137,083.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 83% pricier in Cirencester (£840,055 vs £459,449).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cirencester prices grew faster — 44% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 45 offences per 1,000 people, Cirencester is the safer of the two – 142% lower than Gloucester's 108.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cirencester 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 WestSchool quality favours Cirencester: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 90.6% in Gloucester.
Cirencester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (4 primary, 2 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 | Cirencester | Gloucester |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 36 |
| Primary | 4 | 28 |
| Secondary | 2 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 90.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Gloucester enjoy 450.2 Mbps on average, while Cirencester lags behind at 308.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.1% of premises in Cirencester and 97.9% in Gloucester. Gigabit availability stands at 55.2% in Cirencester and 88.3% in Gloucester.
Gloucester is the faster of the two by 46% on average download speed (450 vs 308 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Gloucester is band C (score 69.8), ahead of Cirencester's band C (score 69.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Cirencester and £1,307 in Gloucester. 60.1% of homes in Cirencester 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 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Cirencester has a population of 17,715 while Gloucester has 118,562. Median household income is £32,466.8 in Cirencester and £30,480 in Gloucester. The median age is 46.2 in Cirencester and 45.7 in Gloucester. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Cirencester and 59.8% in Gloucester.
| Indicator | Cirencester | Gloucester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,715 | 118,562 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 45.7 |
| Median Household Income | £32,466.8 | £30,480 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 59.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 68.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 35.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cirencester and Gloucester?
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