Cowes vs Eastleigh
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Eastleigh is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 3% lower. Eastleigh has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cowes edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cowes
£335,058
Eastleigh
£323,924
Crime Rate
Cowes
75.7
Eastleigh
54.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cowes
100.0%
Eastleigh
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cowes
468.4
Eastleigh
415.5
EPC Rating
Cowes
67
Eastleigh
72.1
Median Income
Cowes
£27,938
Eastleigh
£34,189
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Cowes commands an average of £335,058, compared with £323,924 in Eastleigh – a difference of 3%. The most affordable entry point in Cowes is a flat at £253,949, while in Eastleigh it is a flat at £183,485.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 38% pricier in Cowes (£253,949 vs £183,485).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cowes prices grew faster — 36% vs 11%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastEastleigh has a crime rate of 54.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 38% lower than Cowes at 75.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cowes is violent-crime, while in Eastleigh 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 EastFamilies may prefer Cowes, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Eastleigh. There are 4 schools in Cowes and 13 in Eastleigh.
Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Eastleigh School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 13 schools (11 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cowes | Eastleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 13 |
| Primary | 3 | 11 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 468.4 Mbps in Cowes and 415.5 Mbps in Eastleigh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Cowes and 96.7% in Eastleigh. Gigabit availability stands at 92.2% in Cowes and 80.2% in Eastleigh.
Cowes is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (468 vs 416 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Eastleigh leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.1 (C), while Cowes averages 67 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in Cowes and £1,152 in Eastleigh. 54.5% of homes in Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.6% in Eastleigh.
Eastleigh has more energy-efficient housing — 68.6% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,189 in Eastleigh and £27,938 in Cowes. The median age is 50.5 in Cowes and 44.5 in Eastleigh. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in Cowes versus 68.5% in Eastleigh. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in Cowes and 60.8% in Eastleigh.
| Indicator | Cowes | Eastleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,366 | 48,355 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 44.5 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £34,189 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 60.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 68.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 37.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cowes and Eastleigh?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cowes or Eastleigh?
Is Cowes or Eastleigh safer?
Which has better schools, Cowes or Eastleigh?
Which has faster broadband, Cowes or Eastleigh?
Keep exploring