Cowes vs Holbury
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Holbury is about 8% cheaper on average. Holbury has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cowes edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cowes
£335,058
Holbury
£310,156
Crime Rate
Cowes
75.7
Holbury
54.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cowes
100.0%
Holbury
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cowes
468.4
Holbury
408.9
EPC Rating
Cowes
67
Holbury
68.5
Median Income
Cowes
£27,938
Holbury
£29,236
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Holbury more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £310,156 versus £335,058 in Cowes. The most affordable entry point in Cowes is a flat at £253,949, while in Holbury it is a flat at £232,500.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 22% pricier in Cowes (£480,950 vs £395,800).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cowes prices grew faster — 36% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Holbury (54.5 per 1,000) compared to Cowes (75.7 per 1,000), a 39% difference. The most common crime category in Cowes is violent-crime, while in Holbury 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 EastSchool quality favours Cowes: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Holbury.
Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Holbury School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cowes | Holbury |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 4 |
| Primary | 3 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Cowes enjoy 468.4 Mbps on average, while Holbury lags behind at 408.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Cowes and 97.3% in Holbury. Gigabit availability stands at 92.2% in Cowes and 78.4% in Holbury.
Cowes is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (468 vs 409 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Holbury is band C (score 68.5), ahead of Cowes's band C (score 67). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in Cowes and £1,278 in Holbury. 54.5% of homes in Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.3% in Holbury.
Holbury has more energy-efficient housing — 58.3% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Cowes has a population of 14,366 while Holbury has 7,339. Median household income is £29,236 in Holbury and £27,938 in Cowes. The median age is 50.5 in Cowes and 51.4 in Holbury. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in Cowes and 52.9% in Holbury.
| Indicator | Cowes | Holbury |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,366 | 7,339 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 51.4 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £29,236 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 52.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 74.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 31.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cowes and Holbury?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cowes or Holbury?
Is Cowes or Holbury safer?
Which has better schools, Cowes or Holbury?
Which has faster broadband, Cowes or Holbury?
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