Town comparison
East Cowes vs Southampton
Which is better to live in? 12.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
East Cowes is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 28% lower. East Cowes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Southampton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Cowes
£242,362
Southampton
£337,696
Crime Rate
East Cowes
75.9
Southampton
120.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Cowes
0.0%
Southampton
88.0%
Avg Download Speed
East Cowes
443.5
Southampton
417.8
EPC Rating
East Cowes
67
Southampton
70
Median Income
East Cowes
£27,938
Southampton
£29,874
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £242,362, East Cowes undercuts Southampton (£337,696) by around 28% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in East Cowes is a flat at £153,618, while in Southampton it is a flat at £174,283.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 39% pricier in Southampton (£530,368 vs £324,816).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, East Cowes prices grew faster — 37% vs 2%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastEast Cowes has a crime rate of 75.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 58% lower than Southampton at 120.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in East Cowes is violent-crime, while in Southampton 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 Southampton, which has 66 schools, the figure is 88%.
East Cowes School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Southampton School Inspection Breakdown
88% of 66 schools (53 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Cowes | Southampton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 66 |
| Primary | 2 | 53 |
| Secondary | 0 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 0% | 88% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in East Cowes averages 443.5 Mbps – ahead of Southampton's 417.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.9% of premises in East Cowes and 88.5% in Southampton. Gigabit availability stands at 87% in East Cowes and 80.1% in Southampton.
East Cowes is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (444 vs 418 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Southampton leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while East Cowes averages 67 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,290 in East Cowes and £1,003 in Southampton. 54.5% of homes in East Cowes have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64% in Southampton.
Southampton has more energy-efficient housing — 64% reach band C or above, vs 54.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,874 in Southampton and £27,938 in East Cowes. The median age is 50.5 in East Cowes and 38.7 in Southampton. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in East Cowes versus 47.7% in Southampton. Employment rates stand at 48.4% in East Cowes and 57.9% in Southampton.
| Indicator | East Cowes | Southampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,424 | 249,633 |
| Median Age | 50.5 | 38.7 |
| Median Household Income | £27,938 | £29,874 |
| Employment Rate | 48.4% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 47.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 31.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Cowes and Southampton?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, East Cowes or Southampton?
Is East Cowes or Southampton safer?
Which has better schools, East Cowes or Southampton?
Which has faster broadband, East Cowes or Southampton?
Keep exploring