Dereham vs Swaffham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Swaffham is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 20% lower. Swaffham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dereham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dereham
£313,814
Swaffham
£262,072
Crime Rate
Dereham
49.8
Swaffham
49.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dereham
100.0%
Swaffham
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dereham
384
Swaffham
211.9
EPC Rating
Dereham
69.1
Swaffham
69.1
Median Income
Dereham
£28,795
Swaffham
£28,795
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £262,072, Swaffham undercuts Dereham (£313,814) by around 20% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Dereham is a flat at £115,361, while in Swaffham it is a flat at £107,700.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 23% pricier in Dereham (£411,434 vs £334,396).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dereham prices grew faster — 36% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandSwaffham has a crime rate of 49.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Dereham at 49.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dereham is violent-crime, while in Swaffham 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 East of EnglandOf the 9 schools in Dereham, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Swaffham, which has 4 schools, the figure is 75%.
Dereham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Swaffham School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dereham | Swaffham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 9 | 4 |
| Primary | 7 | 3 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Dereham averages 384.0 Mbps – ahead of Swaffham's 211.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.7% of premises in Dereham and 92.8% in Swaffham. Gigabit availability stands at 73.2% in Dereham and 32.5% in Swaffham.
Dereham is the faster of the two by 81% on average download speed (384 vs 212 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Dereham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.1 (C), while Swaffham averages 69.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,344 in Dereham and £1,344 in Swaffham. 56.8% of homes in Dereham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56.8% in Swaffham.
Dereham has more energy-efficient housing — 56.8% reach band C or above, vs 56.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,795 in Dereham and £28,795 in Swaffham. The median age is 47.4 in Dereham and 47.4 in Swaffham. Owner-occupancy is 67% in Dereham versus 67% in Swaffham. Employment rates stand at 55.7% in Dereham and 55.7% in Swaffham.
| Indicator | Dereham | Swaffham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,788 | 8,434 |
| Median Age | 47.4 | 47.4 |
| Median Household Income | £28,795 | £28,795 |
| Employment Rate | 55.7% | 55.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.1% | 23.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dereham and Swaffham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dereham or Swaffham?
Is Dereham or Swaffham safer?
Which has better schools, Dereham or Swaffham?
Which has faster broadband, Dereham or Swaffham?
Keep exploring