Town comparison
Dorchester (Dorset) vs Wool
Which is better to live in? 9.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Wool is about 7% cheaper on average. Dorchester (dorset) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Wool edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dorchester (Dorset)
£406,621
Wool
£379,983
Crime Rate
Dorchester (Dorset)
44.9
Wool
45.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dorchester (Dorset)
60.0%
Wool
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Dorchester (Dorset)
468.1
Wool
264.8
EPC Rating
Dorchester (Dorset)
68.3
Wool
68.3
Median Income
Dorchester (Dorset)
£29,709
Wool
£29,709
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Wool is £379,983, which is 7% less than Dorchester (dorset) at £406,621. The most affordable entry point in Dorchester (dorset) is a flat at £224,757, while in Wool it is a flat at £220,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 31% pricier in Dorchester (dorset) (£363,394 vs £278,278).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Wool prices grew faster — 34% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 44.9 offences per 1,000 people, Dorchester (dorset) is the safer of the two – 1% lower than Wool's 45.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dorchester (dorset) is violent-crime, while in Wool 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 WestWool has 66.7% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 60% in Dorchester (dorset). Dorchester (dorset) has 7 schools in total, while Wool has 3.
Dorchester (Dorset) School Inspection Breakdown
60% of 7 schools (4 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Wool School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dorchester (Dorset) | Wool |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 3 |
| Primary | 4 | 3 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 60% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Dorchester (dorset) offers faster average downloads at 468.1 Mbps, compared to 264.8 Mbps in Wool. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.7% of premises in Dorchester (dorset) and 86.3% in Wool. Gigabit availability stands at 92.1% in Dorchester (dorset) and 45.7% in Wool.
Dorchester (dorset) is the faster of the two by 77% on average download speed (468 vs 265 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Dorchester (dorset) are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 68.3 (band C) versus 68.3 (band C) in Wool. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Dorchester (dorset) and £1,375 in Wool. 56% of homes in Dorchester (dorset) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56% in Wool.
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 Wool. The median age is 51.1 in Dorchester (dorset) and 51.1 in Wool. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Dorchester (dorset) and 52.1% in Wool. Owner-occupancy is 70.4% in Dorchester (dorset) versus 70.4% in Wool.
| Indicator | Dorchester (Dorset) | Wool |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,358 | 5,377 |
| 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 Wool?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dorchester (dorset) or Wool?
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