Town comparison
Dorchester (Dorset) vs Wareham
Which is better to live in? 14.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Dorchester (dorset) is about 3% cheaper on average. Dorchester (dorset) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Wareham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dorchester (Dorset)
£406,621
Wareham
£420,910
Crime Rate
Dorchester (Dorset)
44.9
Wareham
44.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dorchester (Dorset)
60.0%
Wareham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dorchester (Dorset)
468.1
Wareham
264.8
EPC Rating
Dorchester (Dorset)
68.3
Wareham
68.3
Median Income
Dorchester (Dorset)
£29,709
Wareham
£29,709
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Dorchester (dorset) more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £406,621 versus £420,910 in Wareham. The most affordable entry point in Dorchester (dorset) is a flat at £224,757, while in Wareham it is a flat at £207,897.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 12% pricier in Wareham (£611,776 vs £536,204).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dorchester (dorset) prices grew faster — 30% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Dorchester (dorset) (44.9 per 1,000) compared to Wareham (44.9 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Dorchester (dorset) is violent-crime, while in Wareham 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 WestSchool quality favours Wareham: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 60% in Dorchester (dorset).
Dorchester (Dorset) School Inspection Breakdown
60% of 7 schools (4 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Wareham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dorchester (Dorset) | Wareham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 2 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 60% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Dorchester (dorset) enjoy 468.1 Mbps on average, while Wareham lags behind at 264.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.7% of premises in Dorchester (dorset) and 86.3% in Wareham. Gigabit availability stands at 92.1% in Dorchester (dorset) and 45.7% in Wareham.
Dorchester (dorset) is the faster of the two by 77% on average download speed (468 vs 265 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Dorchester (dorset) is band C (score 68.3), ahead of Wareham's band C (score 68.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Dorchester (dorset) and £1,375 in Wareham. 56% of homes in Dorchester (dorset) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56% in Wareham.
Dorchester (dorset) has more energy-efficient housing — 56% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Dorchester (dorset) has a population of 21,358 while Wareham has 5,876. Median household income is £29,709 in Dorchester (dorset) and £29,709 in Wareham. The median age is 51.1 in Dorchester (dorset) and 51.1 in Wareham. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Dorchester (dorset) and 52.1% in Wareham.
| Indicator | Dorchester (Dorset) | Wareham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,358 | 5,876 |
| Median Age | 51.1 | 51.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,709 | £29,709 |
| Employment Rate | 52.1% | 52.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.4% | 70.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 31.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dorchester (dorset) and Wareham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dorchester (dorset) or Wareham?
Is Dorchester (dorset) or Wareham safer?
Which has better schools, Dorchester (dorset) or Wareham?
Which has faster broadband, Dorchester (dorset) or Wareham?
Keep exploring