East Cowes vs Sandown
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, East Cowes wins on house prices with a 12% gap. East Cowes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Sandown edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Cowes
£242,362
Sandown
£273,925
Crime Rate
East Cowes
75.9
Sandown
75.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Cowes
0.0%
Sandown
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
East Cowes
443.5
Sandown
408.7
EPC Rating
East Cowes
67
Sandown
67
Median Income
East Cowes
£27,938
Sandown
£27,938
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £242,362, East Cowes undercuts Sandown (£273,925) by around 12% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in East Cowes is a flat at £153,618, while in Sandown it is a flat at £164,849.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 9% pricier in Sandown (£358,393 vs £324,816).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sandown prices grew faster — 49% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of East Cowes experience less crime overall, with a rate of 75.9 per 1,000 versus 75.9 per 1,000 in Sandown. The most common crime category in East Cowes is violent-crime, while in Sandown 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 EastOf the 2 schools in East Cowes, 0% are in the top two inspection bands. In Sandown, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
East Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sandown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Cowes | Sandown |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 0% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in East Cowes averages 443.5 Mbps – ahead of Sandown's 408.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.9% of premises in East Cowes and 94.7% in Sandown. Gigabit availability stands at 87% in East Cowes and 79% in Sandown.
East Cowes is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (444 vs 409 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours East Cowes, scoring 67 on average (band C) compared to 67 (band C) in Sandown. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in East Cowes and £1,290 in Sandown. 54.5% of homes in East Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.5% in Sandown.
East Cowes has more energy-efficient housing — 54.5% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,938 in East Cowes and £27,938 in Sandown. The median age is 50.5 in East Cowes and 50.5 in Sandown. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in East Cowes and 48.4% in Sandown. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in East Cowes versus 67.6% in Sandown. East Cowes has a population of 8,424 and Sandown has 11,652.
| Indicator | East Cowes | Sandown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,424 | 11,652 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 50.5 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £27,938 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 48.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Cowes and Sandown?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, East Cowes or Sandown?
Is East Cowes or Sandown safer?
Which has better schools, East Cowes or Sandown?
Which has faster broadband, East Cowes or Sandown?
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