Crowborough vs Lewes
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Crowborough is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 12% lower. Crowborough has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Crowborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crowborough
£494,422
Lewes
£562,635
Crime Rate
Crowborough
41.2
Lewes
55.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crowborough
100.0%
Lewes
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crowborough
462.6
Lewes
246.6
EPC Rating
Crowborough
70.4
Lewes
68.9
Median Income
Crowborough
£31,002
Lewes
£29,267
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Lewes commands an average of £562,635, compared with £494,422 in Crowborough – a difference of 12%. The most affordable entry point in Crowborough is a flat at £213,163, while in Lewes it is a flat at £272,804.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 33% pricier in Lewes (£502,080 vs £336,334).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Crowborough prices grew faster — 29% vs 13%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrowborough has a crime rate of 41.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 34% lower than Lewes at 55.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Crowborough is violent-crime, while in Lewes 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 Lewes. There are 5 schools in Crowborough and 5 in Lewes.
Crowborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lewes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crowborough | Lewes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 5 |
| Primary | 4 | 4 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.6 Mbps in Crowborough and 246.6 Mbps in Lewes. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.5% of premises in Crowborough and 97.2% in Lewes. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Crowborough and 40% in Lewes.
Crowborough is the faster of the two by 88% on average download speed (463 vs 247 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Crowborough leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.4 (C), while Lewes averages 68.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,299 in Crowborough and £1,263 in Lewes. 60.2% of homes in Crowborough have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.7% in Lewes.
Crowborough has more energy-efficient housing — 60.2% reach band C or above, vs 57.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,002 in Crowborough and £29,267 in Lewes. The median age is 48.9 in Crowborough and 49.1 in Lewes. Owner-occupancy is 77% in Crowborough versus 71.1% in Lewes. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Crowborough and 53.5% in Lewes.
| Indicator | Crowborough | Lewes |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,990 | 16,066 |
| Median Age | 48.9 | 49.1 |
| Median Household Income | £31,002 | £29,267 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 53.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 77% | 71.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 34.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Crowborough and Lewes?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Crowborough or Lewes?
Is Crowborough or Lewes safer?
Which has better schools, Crowborough or Lewes?
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