Town comparison
Dawlish vs Sidmouth
Which is better to live in? 12.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Dawlish wins on house prices with a 30% gap. For families, Dawlish edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dawlish
£322,974
Sidmouth
£463,589
Crime Rate
Dawlish
N/A
Sidmouth
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dawlish
100.0%
Sidmouth
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dawlish
325.2
Sidmouth
366.4
EPC Rating
Dawlish
68.7
Sidmouth
68.9
Median Income
Dawlish
£28,150
Sidmouth
£29,914
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £322,974, Dawlish undercuts Sidmouth (£463,589) by around 30% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Dawlish is a flat at £162,280, while in Sidmouth it is a flat at £325,573.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 50% pricier in Sidmouth (£325,573 vs £162,280).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dawlish prices grew faster — 40% vs 39%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Dawlish and Sidmouth at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestOf the 3 schools in Dawlish, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Sidmouth, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Dawlish School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sidmouth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dawlish | Sidmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Sidmouth averages 366.4 Mbps – ahead of Dawlish's 325.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.2% of premises in Dawlish and 94.8% in Sidmouth. Gigabit availability stands at 59.3% in Dawlish and 69% in Sidmouth.
Sidmouth is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (366 vs 325 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Sidmouth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.9 (C), while Dawlish averages 68.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,264 in Dawlish and £1,341 in Sidmouth. 56.6% of homes in Dawlish have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.5% in Sidmouth.
Sidmouth has more energy-efficient housing — 58.5% reach band C or above, vs 56.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,914 in Sidmouth and £28,150 in Dawlish. The median age is 49.3 in Dawlish and 51.3 in Sidmouth. Owner-occupancy is 71.3% in Dawlish versus 72.2% in Sidmouth. Employment rates stand at 54.8% in Dawlish and 52.4% in Sidmouth.
| Indicator | Dawlish | Sidmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,800 | 13,258 |
| Median Age | 49.3 | 51.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,150 | £29,914 |
| Employment Rate | 54.8% | 52.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.3% | 72.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.8% | 33.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dawlish and Sidmouth?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dawlish or Sidmouth?
Is Dawlish or Sidmouth safer?
Which has better schools, Dawlish or Sidmouth?
Which has faster broadband, Dawlish or Sidmouth?
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