Crowborough vs Tonbridge
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Crowborough is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 3% lower. Tonbridge has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Crowborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crowborough
£494,422
Tonbridge
£510,606
Crime Rate
Crowborough
41.2
Tonbridge
0.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crowborough
100.0%
Tonbridge
90.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crowborough
462.6
Tonbridge
448.4
EPC Rating
Crowborough
70.4
Tonbridge
73.3
Median Income
Crowborough
£31,002
Tonbridge
£32,641
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Tonbridge commands an average of £510,606, compared with £494,422 in Crowborough – a difference of 3%. The most affordable entry point in Crowborough is a flat at £213,163, while in Tonbridge it is a flat at £273,613.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 22% pricier in Tonbridge (£273,613 vs £213,163).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Tonbridge prices grew faster — 39% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastTonbridge has a crime rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 20500% lower than Crowborough at 41.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Crowborough is violent-crime, while in Tonbridge 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 90% in Tonbridge. There are 5 schools in Crowborough and 14 in Tonbridge.
Crowborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Tonbridge School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 14 schools (8 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crowborough | Tonbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 14 |
| Primary | 4 | 8 |
| Secondary | 1 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 90% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.6 Mbps in Crowborough and 448.4 Mbps in Tonbridge. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.5% of premises in Crowborough and 98.3% in Tonbridge. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Crowborough and 87.4% in Tonbridge.
Crowborough is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (463 vs 448 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Tonbridge leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.3 (C), while Crowborough averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,299 in Crowborough and £1,084 in Tonbridge. 60.2% of homes in Crowborough have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 70.3% in Tonbridge.
Tonbridge has more energy-efficient housing — 70.3% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,641 in Tonbridge and £31,002 in Crowborough. The median age is 48.9 in Crowborough and 43.4 in Tonbridge. Owner-occupancy is 77% in Crowborough versus 70% in Tonbridge. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Crowborough and 61.1% in Tonbridge.
| Indicator | Crowborough | Tonbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,990 | 36,136 |
| Median Age | 48.9 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £31,002 | £32,641 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 61.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 77% | 70% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 32.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Crowborough and Tonbridge?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Crowborough or Tonbridge?
Is Crowborough or Tonbridge safer?
Which has better schools, Crowborough or Tonbridge?
Which has faster broadband, Crowborough or Tonbridge?
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