Town comparison
Dover vs Sandwich
Which is better to live in? 10.0 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Dover is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 26% lower. Dover has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dover edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dover
£272,408
Sandwich
£369,099
Crime Rate
Dover
78.1
Sandwich
78.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dover
92.3%
Sandwich
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dover
376.1
Sandwich
352.8
EPC Rating
Dover
70
Sandwich
70
Median Income
Dover
£33,352
Sandwich
£33,352
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Sandwich commands an average of £369,099, compared with £272,408 in Dover – a difference of 26%. The most affordable entry point in Dover is a flat at £154,910, while in Sandwich it is a flat at £245,062.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 37% pricier in Sandwich (£245,062 vs £154,910).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dover prices grew faster — 34% vs 11%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastDover has a crime rate of 78.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Sandwich at 78.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dover is violent-crime, while in Sandwich 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 EastFamilies may prefer Dover, where 92.3% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 75% in Sandwich. There are 17 schools in Dover and 4 in Sandwich.
Dover School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sandwich School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dover | Sandwich |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 17 | 4 |
| Primary | 13 | 2 |
| Secondary | 4 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 92.3% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 376.1 Mbps in Dover and 352.8 Mbps in Sandwich. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Dover and 86.4% in Sandwich. Gigabit availability stands at 71% in Dover and 66.7% in Sandwich.
Dover is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (376 vs 353 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Dover, scoring 70 on average (band C) compared to 70 (band C) in Sandwich. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,212 in Dover and £1,212 in Sandwich. 61.7% of homes in Dover have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.7% in Sandwich.
Dover has more energy-efficient housing — 61.7% reach band C or above, vs 61.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,352 in Dover and £33,352 in Sandwich. The median age is 46.5 in Dover and 46.5 in Sandwich. Employment rates stand at 53% in Dover and 53% in Sandwich. Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Dover versus 66.2% in Sandwich. Dover has a population of 36,349 and Sandwich has 4,258.
| Indicator | Dover | Sandwich |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,349 | 4,258 |
| Median Age | 46.5 | 46.5 |
| Median Household Income | £33,352 | £33,352 |
| Employment Rate | 53% | 53% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.2% | 66.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 27% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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