Town comparison
Dover vs Hythe
Which is better to live in? 10.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Dover is about 18% cheaper on average. Hythe has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hythe edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dover
£272,408
Hythe
£332,015
Crime Rate
Dover
78.1
Hythe
75.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dover
92.3%
Hythe
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dover
376.1
Hythe
406.2
EPC Rating
Dover
70
Hythe
70.1
Median Income
Dover
£33,352
Hythe
£32,877
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Dover more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £272,408 versus £332,015 in Hythe. The most affordable entry point in Dover is a flat at £154,910, while in Hythe it is a flat at £266,614.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 42% pricier in Hythe (£266,614 vs £154,910).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hythe prices grew faster — 52% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastWith 75 offences per 1,000 people, Hythe is the safer of the two – 4% lower than Dover's 78.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dover is violent-crime, while in Hythe 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 EastSchool quality favours Hythe: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 92.3% in Dover.
Dover School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hythe School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (4 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dover | Hythe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 17 | 4 |
| Primary | 13 | 4 |
| Secondary | 4 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 92.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Hythe enjoy 406.2 Mbps on average, while Dover lags behind at 376.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Dover and 92.2% in Hythe. Gigabit availability stands at 71% in Dover and 79% in Hythe.
Hythe is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (406 vs 376 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Hythe is band C (score 70.1), ahead of Dover's band C (score 70). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,212 in Dover and £1,184 in Hythe. 61.7% of homes in Dover have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.6% in Hythe.
Hythe has more energy-efficient housing — 63.6% reach band C or above, vs 61.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Dover has a population of 36,349 while Hythe has 14,382. Median household income is £33,352 in Dover and £32,877 in Hythe. The median age is 46.5 in Dover and 47.5 in Hythe. Employment rates stand at 53% in Dover and 52.2% in Hythe.
| Indicator | Dover | Hythe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,349 | 14,382 |
| Median Age | 46.5 | 47.5 |
| Median Household Income | £33,352 | £32,877 |
| Employment Rate | 53% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.2% | 65.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dover and Hythe?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dover or Hythe?
Is Dover or Hythe safer?
Which has better schools, Dover or Hythe?
Which has faster broadband, Dover or Hythe?
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