East Cowes vs Fareham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, East Cowes wins on house prices with a 40% gap. Fareham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Fareham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Cowes
£242,362
Fareham
£406,936
Crime Rate
East Cowes
75.9
Fareham
51.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Cowes
0.0%
Fareham
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
East Cowes
443.5
Fareham
458.6
EPC Rating
East Cowes
67
Fareham
71.5
Median Income
East Cowes
£27,938
Fareham
£35,497
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Fareham commands an average of £406,936, compared with £242,362 in East Cowes – a difference of 40%. The most affordable entry point in East Cowes is a flat at £153,618, while in Fareham it is a flat at £172,479.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 37% pricier in Fareham (£514,082 vs £324,816).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, East Cowes prices grew faster — 37% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Fareham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 51.4 per 1,000 versus 75.9 per 1,000 in East Cowes. The most common crime category in East Cowes is violent-crime, while in Fareham 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 Fareham, where 81.8% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 0% in East Cowes. There are 2 schools in East Cowes and 14 in Fareham.
East Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Fareham School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 14 schools (11 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Cowes | Fareham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 14 |
| Primary | 2 | 11 |
| Secondary | 0 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 0% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 458.6 Mbps in Fareham and 443.5 Mbps in East Cowes. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.9% of premises in East Cowes and 98.3% in Fareham. Gigabit availability stands at 87% in East Cowes and 89.1% in Fareham.
Fareham is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (459 vs 444 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Fareham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.5 (C), while East Cowes averages 67 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in East Cowes and £1,075 in Fareham. 54.5% of homes in East Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.1% in Fareham.
Fareham has more energy-efficient housing — 68.1% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,497 in Fareham and £27,938 in East Cowes. The median age is 50.5 in East Cowes and 48 in Fareham. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in East Cowes versus 78.5% in Fareham. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in East Cowes and 58.2% in Fareham.
| Indicator | East Cowes | Fareham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,424 | 42,246 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 48 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £35,497 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 58.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 78.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 33.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Cowes and Fareham?
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