Town comparison
Cowes vs Southampton
Which is better to live in? 11.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Cowes is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 1% lower. Cowes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cowes edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cowes
£335,058
Southampton
£337,696
Crime Rate
Cowes
75.7
Southampton
120.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cowes
100.0%
Southampton
88.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cowes
468.4
Southampton
417.8
EPC Rating
Cowes
67
Southampton
70
Median Income
Cowes
£27,938
Southampton
£29,874
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £335,058, Cowes undercuts Southampton (£337,696) by around 1% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Cowes is a flat at £253,949, while in Southampton it is a flat at £174,283.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 46% pricier in Cowes (£253,949 vs £174,283).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cowes prices grew faster — 36% vs 2%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCowes has a crime rate of 75.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 59% lower than Southampton at 120.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cowes is violent-crime, while in Southampton 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 EastOf the 4 schools in Cowes, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Southampton, which has 66 schools, the figure is 88%.
Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Southampton School Inspection Breakdown
88% of 66 schools (53 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cowes | Southampton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 66 |
| Primary | 3 | 53 |
| Secondary | 1 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 88% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Cowes averages 468.4 Mbps – ahead of Southampton's 417.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Cowes and 88.5% in Southampton. Gigabit availability stands at 92.2% in Cowes and 80.1% in Southampton.
Cowes is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (468 vs 418 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Southampton 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 £1,003 in Southampton. 54.5% of homes in Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64% in Southampton.
Southampton has more energy-efficient housing — 64% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,874 in Southampton and £27,938 in Cowes. The median age is 50.5 in Cowes and 38.7 in Southampton. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in Cowes versus 47.7% in Southampton. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in Cowes and 57.9% in Southampton.
| Indicator | Cowes | Southampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,366 | 249,633 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 38.7 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £29,874 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 47.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 31.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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