Crowborough vs Paddock Wood
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Crowborough is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 7% lower. Paddock Wood has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Crowborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crowborough
£494,422
Paddock Wood
£529,564
Crime Rate
Crowborough
41.2
Paddock Wood
0.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crowborough
100.0%
Paddock Wood
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crowborough
462.6
Paddock Wood
328.1
EPC Rating
Crowborough
70.4
Paddock Wood
71.2
Median Income
Crowborough
£31,002
Paddock Wood
£34,114
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Paddock Wood commands an average of £529,564, compared with £494,422 in Crowborough – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Crowborough is a flat at £213,163, while in Paddock Wood it is a flat at £220,772.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 8% pricier in Paddock Wood (£449,499 vs £411,816).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Paddock Wood prices grew faster — 61% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastPaddock Wood has a crime rate of 0.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 13633% lower than Crowborough at 41.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Crowborough is violent-crime, while in Paddock Wood 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 Paddock Wood. There are 5 schools in Crowborough and 2 in Paddock Wood.
Crowborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Paddock Wood School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crowborough | Paddock Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 2 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.6 Mbps in Crowborough and 328.1 Mbps in Paddock Wood. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.5% of premises in Crowborough and 89.1% in Paddock Wood. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Crowborough and 60.5% in Paddock Wood.
Crowborough is the faster of the two by 41% on average download speed (463 vs 328 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Paddock Wood leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.2 (C), while Crowborough averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,299 in Crowborough and £1,197 in Paddock Wood. 60.2% of homes in Crowborough have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.3% in Paddock Wood.
Paddock Wood has more energy-efficient housing — 64.3% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,114.3 in Paddock Wood and £31,002 in Crowborough. The median age is 48.9 in Crowborough and 43.6 in Paddock Wood. Owner-occupancy is 77% in Crowborough versus 67.5% in Paddock Wood. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Crowborough and 60.8% in Paddock Wood.
| Indicator | Crowborough | Paddock Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,990 | 7,270 |
| Median Age | 48.9 | 43.6 |
| Median Household Income | £31,002 | £34,114.3 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 60.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 77% | 67.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 34.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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