Cowes vs Gosport
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Gosport is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 34% lower. Gosport has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cowes edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cowes
£335,058
Gosport
£249,661
Crime Rate
Cowes
75.7
Gosport
74.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cowes
100.0%
Gosport
83.3%
Avg Download Speed
Cowes
468.4
Gosport
467.3
EPC Rating
Cowes
67
Gosport
70
Median Income
Cowes
£27,938
Gosport
£31,770
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Cowes commands an average of £335,058, compared with £249,661 in Gosport – a difference of 34%. The most affordable entry point in Cowes is a flat at £253,949, while in Gosport it is a flat at £151,697.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 67% pricier in Cowes (£253,949 vs £151,697).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cowes prices grew faster — 36% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastGosport has a crime rate of 74.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 2% lower than Cowes at 75.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cowes is violent-crime, while in Gosport 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 83.3% in Gosport. There are 4 schools in Cowes and 26 in Gosport.
Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Gosport School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 26 schools (23 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cowes | Gosport |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 26 |
| Primary | 3 | 23 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 83.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 468.4 Mbps in Cowes and 467.3 Mbps in Gosport. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Cowes and 99.6% in Gosport. Gigabit availability stands at 92.2% in Cowes and 92.2% in Gosport.
Cowes is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (468 vs 467 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Gosport leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while Cowes averages 67 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in Cowes and £1,036 in Gosport. 54.5% of homes in Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65% in Gosport.
Gosport has more energy-efficient housing — 65% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,770 in Gosport and £27,938 in Cowes. The median age is 50.5 in Cowes and 45 in Gosport. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in Cowes versus 63.6% in Gosport. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in Cowes and 57.3% in Gosport.
| Indicator | Cowes | Gosport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,366 | 70,120 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 45 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £31,770 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 57.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 63.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 24.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cowes and Gosport?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cowes or Gosport?
Is Cowes or Gosport safer?
Which has better schools, Cowes or Gosport?
Which has faster broadband, Cowes or Gosport?
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