Crowborough vs Haywards Heath
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Crowborough wins on house prices with a 10% gap. Crowborough has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Crowborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crowborough
£494,422
Haywards Heath
£547,040
Crime Rate
Crowborough
41.2
Haywards Heath
45.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crowborough
100.0%
Haywards Heath
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crowborough
462.6
Haywards Heath
426.8
EPC Rating
Crowborough
70.4
Haywards Heath
70.6
Median Income
Crowborough
£31,002
Haywards Heath
£32,006
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £494,422, Crowborough undercuts Haywards Heath (£547,040) by around 10% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Crowborough is a flat at £213,163, while in Haywards Heath it is a flat at £268,501.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 23% pricier in Haywards Heath (£821,153 vs £633,698).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Crowborough prices grew faster — 29% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Crowborough experience less crime overall, with a rate of 41.2 per 1,000 versus 45.8 per 1,000 in Haywards Heath. The most common crime category in Crowborough is violent-crime, while in Haywards Heath 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 5 schools in Crowborough, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Haywards Heath, which has 9 schools, the figure is 100%.
Crowborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Haywards Heath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (8 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crowborough | Haywards Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 9 |
| Primary | 4 | 8 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Crowborough averages 462.6 Mbps – ahead of Haywards Heath's 426.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.5% of premises in Crowborough and 98.1% in Haywards Heath. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Crowborough and 82.8% in Haywards Heath.
Crowborough is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (463 vs 427 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Haywards Heath leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.6 (C), while Crowborough averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,299 in Crowborough and £1,218 in Haywards Heath. 60.2% of homes in Crowborough have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.4% in Haywards Heath.
Haywards Heath has more energy-efficient housing — 62.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,005.5 in Haywards Heath and £31,002 in Crowborough. The median age is 48.9 in Crowborough and 47 in Haywards Heath. Owner-occupancy is 77% in Crowborough versus 71.8% in Haywards Heath. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Crowborough and 57.8% in Haywards Heath.
| Indicator | Crowborough | Haywards Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,990 | 40,528 |
| Median Age | 48.9 | 47 |
| Median Household Income | £31,002 | £32,005.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 57.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 77% | 71.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 36.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Crowborough and Haywards Heath?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Crowborough or Haywards Heath?
Is Crowborough or Haywards Heath safer?
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