Coleford (Forest of Dean) vs Ross-on-Wye
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Coleford (forest Of Dean) is about 21% cheaper on average. Ross On Wye has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Coleford (forest Of Dean) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
£284,151
Ross-on-Wye
£360,141
Crime Rate
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
48.2
Ross-on-Wye
30.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
100.0%
Ross-on-Wye
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
396.3
Ross-on-Wye
380.6
EPC Rating
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
69.8
Ross-on-Wye
68.6
Median Income
Coleford (Forest of Dean)
£32,784
Ross-on-Wye
£30,196
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Coleford (forest Of Dean) is £284,151, which is 21% less than Ross On Wye at £360,141. The most affordable entry point in Coleford (forest Of Dean) is a flat at £129,568, while in Ross On Wye it is a flat at £137,956.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Ross On Wye (£469,554 vs £383,960).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ross On Wye prices grew faster — 35% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Ross On Wye (30.3 per 1,000) compared to Coleford (forest Of Dean) (48.2 per 1,000), a 59% difference. The most common crime category in Coleford (forest Of Dean) 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 WestColeford (forest Of Dean) has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Ross On Wye. Coleford (forest Of Dean) has 1 schools in total, while Ross On Wye has 4.
Coleford (Forest of Dean) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) 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 | Coleford (Forest of Dean) | Ross-on-Wye |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Coleford (forest Of Dean) offers faster average downloads at 396.3 Mbps, compared to 380.6 Mbps in Ross On Wye. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.7% of premises in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and 90.3% in Ross On Wye. Gigabit availability stands at 75.6% in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and 73% in Ross On Wye.
Coleford (forest Of Dean) is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (396 vs 381 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Coleford (forest Of Dean) are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.8 (band C) versus 68.6 (band C) in Ross On Wye. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and £1,412 in Ross On Wye. 61.4% of homes in Coleford (forest Of Dean) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.7% in Ross On Wye.
Coleford (forest Of Dean) has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 57.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,783.5 in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and £30,196 in Ross On Wye. The median age is 48.1 in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and 48 in Ross On Wye. Employment rates stand at 54.7% in Coleford (forest Of Dean) and 55.5% in Ross On Wye. Owner-occupancy is 72.2% in Coleford (forest Of Dean) versus 69.5% in Ross On Wye.
| Indicator | Coleford (Forest of Dean) | Ross-on-Wye |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,023 | 10,993 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 48 |
| Median Household Income | £32,783.5 | £30,196 |
| Employment Rate | 54.7% | 55.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 72.2% | 69.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.1% | 30.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Coleford (forest Of Dean) and Ross On Wye?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Coleford (forest Of Dean) or Ross On Wye?
Is Coleford (forest Of Dean) or Ross On Wye safer?
Which has better schools, Coleford (forest Of Dean) or Ross On Wye?
Which has faster broadband, Coleford (forest Of Dean) or Ross On Wye?
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