Cowes vs Sandown
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Sandown wins on house prices with a 22% gap. Cowes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cowes edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cowes
£335,058
Sandown
£273,925
Crime Rate
Cowes
75.7
Sandown
75.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cowes
100.0%
Sandown
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cowes
468.4
Sandown
408.7
EPC Rating
Cowes
67
Sandown
67
Median Income
Cowes
£27,938
Sandown
£27,938
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Cowes commands an average of £335,058, compared with £273,925 in Sandown – a difference of 22%. The most affordable entry point in Cowes is a flat at £253,949, while in Sandown it is a flat at £164,849.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 54% pricier in Cowes (£253,949 vs £164,849).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sandown prices grew faster — 49% vs 36%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Cowes experience less crime overall, with a rate of 75.7 per 1,000 versus 75.9 per 1,000 in Sandown. The most common crime category in Cowes is violent-crime, while in Sandown 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 Sandown. There are 4 schools in Cowes and 2 in Sandown.
Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sandown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cowes | Sandown |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 468.4 Mbps in Cowes and 408.7 Mbps in Sandown. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Cowes and 94.7% in Sandown. Gigabit availability stands at 92.2% in Cowes and 79% in Sandown.
Cowes is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (468 vs 409 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Cowes, scoring 67 on average (band C) compared to 67 (band C) in Sandown. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in Cowes and £1,290 in Sandown. 54.5% of homes in Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.5% in Sandown.
Cowes has more energy-efficient housing — 54.5% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,938 in Cowes and £27,938 in Sandown. The median age is 50.5 in Cowes and 50.5 in Sandown. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in Cowes and 48.4% in Sandown. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in Cowes versus 67.6% in Sandown. Cowes has a population of 14,366 and Sandown has 11,652.
| Indicator | Cowes | Sandown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,366 | 11,652 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 50.5 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £27,938 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 48.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cowes and Sandown?
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