Town comparison
Cirencester vs Highworth
Which is better to live in? 12.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Highworth is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 60% lower. Cirencester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cirencester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cirencester
£524,419
Highworth
£327,310
Crime Rate
Cirencester
45.0
Highworth
68.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cirencester
100.0%
Highworth
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Cirencester
308.4
Highworth
287.8
EPC Rating
Cirencester
69.5
Highworth
70.1
Median Income
Cirencester
£32,467
Highworth
£33,050
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £327,310, Highworth undercuts Cirencester (£524,419) by around 60% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Cirencester is a flat at £230,228, while in Highworth it is a flat at £152,685.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 83% pricier in Cirencester (£840,055 vs £459,544).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cirencester prices grew faster — 44% vs 38%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCirencester has a crime rate of 45 per 1,000 residents, which is 53% lower than Highworth at 68.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cirencester is violent-crime, while in Highworth 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 WestOf the 6 schools in Cirencester, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Highworth, which has 4 schools, the figure is 66.7%.
Cirencester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (4 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Highworth School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cirencester | Highworth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 4 |
| Primary | 4 | 3 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Cirencester averages 308.4 Mbps – ahead of Highworth's 287.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.1% of premises in Cirencester and 88.4% in Highworth. Gigabit availability stands at 55.2% in Cirencester and 48.2% in Highworth.
Cirencester is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (308 vs 288 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Highworth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.1 (C), while Cirencester averages 69.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Cirencester and £1,322 in Highworth. 60.1% of homes in Cirencester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.1% in Highworth.
Highworth has more energy-efficient housing — 62.1% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,049.5 in Highworth and £32,466.8 in Cirencester. The median age is 46.2 in Cirencester and 44.9 in Highworth. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Cirencester versus 66% in Highworth. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Cirencester and 61% in Highworth.
| Indicator | Cirencester | Highworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,715 | 7,932 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44.9 |
| Median Household Income | £32,466.8 | £33,049.5 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 61% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 66% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 36.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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