Cranleigh vs Dorking
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Dorking wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Dorking has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dorking edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cranleigh
£664,392
Dorking
£662,041
Crime Rate
Cranleigh
58.9
Dorking
56.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cranleigh
66.7%
Dorking
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cranleigh
361.2
Dorking
413.9
EPC Rating
Cranleigh
68.5
Dorking
67.9
Median Income
Cranleigh
£36,053
Dorking
£37,374
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Cranleigh commands an average of £664,392, compared with £662,041 in Dorking – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Cranleigh is a flat at £320,569, while in Dorking it is a flat at £289,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 13% pricier in Dorking (£987,296 vs £854,425).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dorking prices grew faster — 29% vs 4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Dorking experience less crime overall, with a rate of 56 per 1,000 versus 58.9 per 1,000 in Cranleigh. The most common crime category in Cranleigh is violent-crime, while in Dorking 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 Dorking, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Cranleigh. There are 4 schools in Cranleigh and 7 in Dorking.
Cranleigh School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dorking School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (5 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cranleigh | Dorking |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 7 |
| Primary | 3 | 5 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 413.9 Mbps in Dorking and 361.2 Mbps in Cranleigh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92% of premises in Cranleigh and 97% in Dorking. Gigabit availability stands at 68.2% in Cranleigh and 79.8% in Dorking.
Dorking is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (414 vs 361 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cranleigh leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.5 (C), while Dorking averages 67.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,434 in Cranleigh and £1,489 in Dorking. 55.6% of homes in Cranleigh have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55% in Dorking.
Cranleigh has more energy-efficient housing — 55.6% reach band C or above, vs 55% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,374 in Dorking and £36,052.5 in Cranleigh. The median age is 47.7 in Cranleigh and 47.8 in Dorking. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Cranleigh versus 73.2% in Dorking. Employment rates stand at 56.2% in Cranleigh and 58.5% in Dorking.
| Indicator | Cranleigh | Dorking |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,430 | 17,463 |
| Median Age | 47.7 | 47.8 |
| Median Household Income | £36,052.5 | £37,374 |
| Employment Rate | 56.2% | 58.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 73.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 41.9% | 43.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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