Cottenham vs Fenstanton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Fenstanton is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 14% lower. Cottenham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cottenham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cottenham
£444,751
Fenstanton
£391,405
Crime Rate
Cottenham
46.0
Fenstanton
58.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cottenham
100.0%
Fenstanton
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cottenham
475.4
Fenstanton
366.2
EPC Rating
Cottenham
73.9
Fenstanton
72.8
Median Income
Cottenham
£37,695
Fenstanton
£33,738
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Cottenham commands an average of £444,751, compared with £391,405 in Fenstanton – a difference of 14%. The most affordable entry point in Cottenham is a flat at £201,667, while in Fenstanton it is a flat at £185,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 12% pricier in Cottenham (£558,069 vs £499,167).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cottenham prices grew faster — 36% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandCottenham has a crime rate of 46 per 1,000 residents, which is 26% lower than Fenstanton at 58 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cottenham is violent-crime, while in Fenstanton 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 EnglandFamilies may prefer Cottenham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Fenstanton. There are 2 schools in Cottenham and 1 in Fenstanton.
Cottenham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Fenstanton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cottenham | Fenstanton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 475.4 Mbps in Cottenham and 366.2 Mbps in Fenstanton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.2% of premises in Cottenham and 90.4% in Fenstanton. Gigabit availability stands at 93% in Cottenham and 68.5% in Fenstanton.
Cottenham is the faster of the two by 30% on average download speed (475 vs 366 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cottenham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.9 (C), while Fenstanton averages 72.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,068 in Cottenham and £1,145 in Fenstanton. 72.6% of homes in Cottenham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.5% in Fenstanton.
Cottenham has more energy-efficient housing — 72.6% reach band C or above, vs 69.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,695 in Cottenham and £33,738.2 in Fenstanton. The median age is 40.5 in Cottenham and 44.1 in Fenstanton. Owner-occupancy is 56.5% in Cottenham versus 67.1% in Fenstanton. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Cottenham and 60.8% in Fenstanton.
| Indicator | Cottenham | Fenstanton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,156 | 3,015 |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 44.1 |
| Median Household Income | £37,695 | £33,738.2 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 60.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 56.5% | 67.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 51.8% | 34% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cottenham and Fenstanton?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cottenham or Fenstanton?
Is Cottenham or Fenstanton safer?
Which has better schools, Cottenham or Fenstanton?
Which has faster broadband, Cottenham or Fenstanton?
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