Crowborough vs Forest Row
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Crowborough wins on house prices with a 6% gap. Forest Row has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Crowborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crowborough
£494,422
Forest Row
£526,850
Crime Rate
Crowborough
41.2
Forest Row
40.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crowborough
100.0%
Forest Row
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crowborough
462.6
Forest Row
388.1
EPC Rating
Crowborough
70.4
Forest Row
71.4
Median Income
Crowborough
£31,002
Forest Row
£32,873
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Forest Row commands an average of £526,850, compared with £494,422 in Crowborough – a difference of 6%. The most affordable entry point in Crowborough is a flat at £213,163, while in Forest Row it is a flat at £228,167.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 19% pricier in Forest Row (£784,045 vs £633,698).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Crowborough prices grew faster — 29% vs 5%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Forest Row experience less crime overall, with a rate of 40.7 per 1,000 versus 41.2 per 1,000 in Crowborough. The most common crime category in Crowborough is violent-crime, while in Forest Row 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 Crowborough, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Forest Row. There are 5 schools in Crowborough and 1 in Forest Row.
Crowborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Forest Row School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crowborough | Forest Row |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 1 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.6 Mbps in Crowborough and 388.1 Mbps in Forest Row. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.5% of premises in Crowborough and 95.1% in Forest Row. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Crowborough and 73.9% in Forest Row.
Crowborough is the faster of the two by 19% on average download speed (463 vs 388 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Forest Row leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.4 (C), while Crowborough averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,299 in Crowborough and £1,236 in Forest Row. 60.2% of homes in Crowborough have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.6% in Forest Row.
Forest Row has more energy-efficient housing — 63.6% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,873 in Forest Row and £31,002 in Crowborough. The median age is 48.9 in Crowborough and 46.9 in Forest Row. Owner-occupancy is 77% in Crowborough versus 74.8% in Forest Row. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Crowborough and 59% in Forest Row.
| Indicator | Crowborough | Forest Row |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,990 | 3,881 |
| Median Age | 48.9 | 46.9 |
| Median Household Income | £31,002 | £32,873 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 59% |
| Owner Occupied | 77% | 74.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 35.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Crowborough and Forest Row?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Crowborough or Forest Row?
Is Crowborough or Forest Row safer?
Which has better schools, Crowborough or Forest Row?
Which has faster broadband, Crowborough or Forest Row?
Keep exploring