Clacton-on-Sea vs West Mersea
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Clacton On Sea is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 44% lower. Clacton On Sea has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, West Mersea edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Clacton-on-Sea
£274,653
West Mersea
£489,070
Crime Rate
Clacton-on-Sea
78.9
West Mersea
80.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Clacton-on-Sea
90.0%
West Mersea
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Clacton-on-Sea
446.8
West Mersea
261.1
EPC Rating
Clacton-on-Sea
70
West Mersea
70.3
Median Income
Clacton-on-Sea
£29,832
West Mersea
£33,111
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £274,653, Clacton On Sea undercuts West Mersea (£489,070) by around 44% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Clacton On Sea is a flat at £134,949, while in West Mersea it is a flat at £252,077.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 46% pricier in West Mersea (£252,077 vs £134,949).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, West Mersea prices grew faster — 50% vs 19%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandClacton On Sea has a crime rate of 78.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 3% lower than West Mersea at 80.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Clacton On Sea is violent-crime, while in West Mersea 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 East of EnglandOf the 12 schools in Clacton On Sea, 90% are in the top two inspection bands. In West Mersea, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Clacton-on-Sea School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 12 schools (10 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
West Mersea School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Clacton-on-Sea | West Mersea |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 12 | 1 |
| Primary | 10 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 90% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Clacton On Sea averages 446.8 Mbps – ahead of West Mersea's 261.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.5% of premises in Clacton On Sea and 94.4% in West Mersea. Gigabit availability stands at 87.2% in Clacton On Sea and 43.8% in West Mersea.
Clacton On Sea is the faster of the two by 71% on average download speed (447 vs 261 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours West Mersea, scoring 70.3 on average (band C) compared to 70 (band D) in Clacton On Sea. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Clacton On Sea and £1,206 in West Mersea. 56.4% of homes in Clacton On Sea have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.5% in West Mersea.
West Mersea has more energy-efficient housing — 61.5% reach band C or above, vs 56.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,111 in West Mersea and £29,832 in Clacton On Sea. The median age is 50.3 in Clacton On Sea and 44.6 in West Mersea. Employment rates stand at 46.7% in Clacton On Sea and 58.5% in West Mersea. Owner-occupancy is 71.5% in Clacton On Sea versus 69.5% in West Mersea. Clacton On Sea has a population of 53,190 and West Mersea has 7,071.
| Indicator | Clacton-on-Sea | West Mersea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,190 | 7,071 |
| Median Age | 50.3 | 44.6 |
| Median Household Income | £29,832 | £33,111 |
| Employment Rate | 46.7% | 58.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.5% | 69.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19.9% | 27.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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