Town comparison
Dorchester (Dorset) vs Weymouth
Which is better to live in? 6.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Weymouth is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 36% lower. Dorchester (dorset) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Weymouth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dorchester (Dorset)
£406,621
Weymouth
£299,141
Crime Rate
Dorchester (Dorset)
44.9
Weymouth
44.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dorchester (Dorset)
60.0%
Weymouth
76.9%
Avg Download Speed
Dorchester (Dorset)
468.1
Weymouth
372.4
EPC Rating
Dorchester (Dorset)
68.3
Weymouth
68.3
Median Income
Dorchester (Dorset)
£29,709
Weymouth
£29,709
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Dorchester (dorset) commands an average of £406,621, compared with £299,141 in Weymouth – a difference of 36%. The most affordable entry point in Dorchester (dorset) is a flat at £224,757, while in Weymouth it is a flat at £177,222.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 28% pricier in Dorchester (dorset) (£337,507 vs £263,787).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dorchester (dorset) prices grew faster — 30% vs 24%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestDorchester (dorset) has a crime rate of 44.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Weymouth at 44.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dorchester (dorset) is violent-crime, while in Weymouth 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 WestFamilies may prefer Weymouth, where 76.9% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 60% in Dorchester (dorset). There are 7 schools in Dorchester (dorset) and 15 in Weymouth.
Dorchester (Dorset) School Inspection Breakdown
60% of 7 schools (4 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Weymouth School Inspection Breakdown
76.9% of 15 schools (12 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dorchester (Dorset) | Weymouth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 15 |
| Primary | 4 | 12 |
| Secondary | 3 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 60% | 76.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 468.1 Mbps in Dorchester (dorset) and 372.4 Mbps in Weymouth. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.7% of premises in Dorchester (dorset) and 99.3% in Weymouth. Gigabit availability stands at 92.1% in Dorchester (dorset) and 69.6% in Weymouth.
Dorchester (dorset) is the faster of the two by 26% on average download speed (468 vs 372 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Dorchester (dorset), scoring 68.3 on average (band C) compared to 68.3 (band C) in Weymouth. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Dorchester (dorset) and £1,375 in Weymouth. 56% of homes in Dorchester (dorset) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56% in Weymouth.
Dorchester (dorset) has more energy-efficient housing — 56% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,709 in Dorchester (dorset) and £29,709 in Weymouth. The median age is 51.1 in Dorchester (dorset) and 51.1 in Weymouth. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Dorchester (dorset) and 52.1% in Weymouth. Owner-occupancy is 70.4% in Dorchester (dorset) versus 70.4% in Weymouth. Dorchester (dorset) has a population of 21,358 and Weymouth has 55,540.
| Indicator | Dorchester (Dorset) | Weymouth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,358 | 55,540 |
| 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
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