Cranleigh vs Southwater
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Southwater wins on house prices with a 48% gap. Southwater has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Southwater edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cranleigh
£664,392
Southwater
£449,850
Crime Rate
Cranleigh
58.9
Southwater
34.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cranleigh
66.7%
Southwater
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cranleigh
361.2
Southwater
356.9
EPC Rating
Cranleigh
68.5
Southwater
70.4
Median Income
Cranleigh
£36,053
Southwater
£34,970
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Cranleigh commands an average of £664,392, compared with £449,850 in Southwater – a difference of 48%. The most affordable entry point in Cranleigh is a flat at £320,569, while in Southwater it is a flat at £211,133.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 52% pricier in Cranleigh (£320,569 vs £211,133).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Southwater prices grew faster — 21% vs 4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Southwater experience less crime overall, with a rate of 34.1 per 1,000 versus 58.9 per 1,000 in Cranleigh. The most common crime category in Cranleigh is violent-crime, while in Southwater it is shoplifting.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Cranleigh's most common crime is violent crime; in Southwater it's shoplifting.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South EastFamilies may prefer Southwater, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Cranleigh. There are 4 schools in Cranleigh and 3 in Southwater.
Cranleigh School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Southwater School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cranleigh | Southwater |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 3 |
| Primary | 3 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 361.2 Mbps in Cranleigh and 356.9 Mbps in Southwater. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92% of premises in Cranleigh and 92.2% in Southwater. Gigabit availability stands at 68.2% in Cranleigh and 66.1% in Southwater.
Cranleigh is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (361 vs 357 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Southwater leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.4 (C), while Cranleigh averages 68.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,434 in Cranleigh and £1,268 in Southwater. 55.6% of homes in Cranleigh have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.8% in Southwater.
Southwater has more energy-efficient housing — 63.8% reach band C or above, vs 55.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,052.5 in Cranleigh and £34,969.5 in Southwater. The median age is 47.7 in Cranleigh and 45.8 in Southwater. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Cranleigh versus 72.4% in Southwater. Employment rates stand at 56.2% in Cranleigh and 61% in Southwater.
| Indicator | Cranleigh | Southwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,430 | 11,204 |
| Median Age | 47.7 | 45.8 |
| Median Household Income | £36,052.5 | £34,969.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56.2% | 61% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 72.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 41.9% | 37.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cranleigh and Southwater?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cranleigh or Southwater?
Is Cranleigh or Southwater safer?
Which has better schools, Cranleigh or Southwater?
Which has faster broadband, Cranleigh or Southwater?
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