Town comparison
Cricklade vs Fairford
Which is better to live in? 5.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Cricklade is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 23% lower. Fairford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cricklade edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cricklade
£370,420
Fairford
£478,257
Crime Rate
Cricklade
49.1
Fairford
45.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cricklade
100.0%
Fairford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cricklade
287.8
Fairford
308.4
EPC Rating
Cricklade
70.1
Fairford
69.5
Median Income
Cricklade
£33,050
Fairford
£32,467
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £370,420, Cricklade undercuts Fairford (£478,257) by around 23% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Cricklade is a terraced at £276,944, while in Fairford it is a flat at £164,167.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 26% pricier in Fairford (£372,288 vs £276,944).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Fairford prices grew faster — 33% vs 20%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestFairford has a crime rate of 45 per 1,000 residents, which is 9% lower than Cricklade at 49.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cricklade is violent-crime, while in Fairford 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 WestOf the 1 schools in Cricklade, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Fairford, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Cricklade School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Fairford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cricklade | Fairford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Fairford averages 308.4 Mbps – ahead of Cricklade's 287.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.4% of premises in Cricklade and 94.1% in Fairford. Gigabit availability stands at 48.2% in Cricklade and 55.2% in Fairford.
Fairford is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (308 vs 288 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cricklade leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.1 (C), while Fairford averages 69.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,322 in Cricklade and £1,394 in Fairford. 62.1% of homes in Cricklade have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.1% in Fairford.
Cricklade has more energy-efficient housing — 62.1% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,049.5 in Cricklade and £32,466.8 in Fairford. The median age is 44.9 in Cricklade and 46.2 in Fairford. Owner-occupancy is 66% in Cricklade versus 67.9% in Fairford. Employment rates stand at 61% in Cricklade and 60.7% in Fairford.
| Indicator | Cricklade | Fairford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,030 | 4,240 |
| Median Age | 44.9 | 46.2 |
| Median Household Income | £33,049.5 | £32,466.8 |
| Employment Rate | 61% | 60.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 66% | 67.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 36.5% | 39% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cricklade and Fairford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cricklade or Fairford?
Is Cricklade or Fairford safer?
Which has better schools, Cricklade or Fairford?
Which has faster broadband, Cricklade or Fairford?
Keep exploring