Town comparison
Eastbourne vs Hastings
Which is better to live in? 13.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Hastings wins on house prices with a 1% gap. Hastings has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Eastbourne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Eastbourne
£336,740
Hastings
£332,823
Crime Rate
Eastbourne
109.6
Hastings
107.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Eastbourne
83.3%
Hastings
82.4%
Avg Download Speed
Eastbourne
425.9
Hastings
371.3
EPC Rating
Eastbourne
69.5
Hastings
69.8
Median Income
Eastbourne
£30,405
Hastings
£28,707
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £332,823, Hastings undercuts Eastbourne (£336,740) by around 1% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Eastbourne is a flat at £206,711, while in Hastings it is a flat at £150,131.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 38% pricier in Eastbourne (£206,711 vs £150,131).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hastings prices grew faster — 38% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Hastings experience less crime overall, with a rate of 107.8 per 1,000 versus 109.6 per 1,000 in Eastbourne. The most common crime category in Eastbourne is violent-crime, while in Hastings 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 24 schools in Eastbourne, 83.3% are in the top two inspection bands. In Hastings, which has 20 schools, the figure is 82.4%.
Eastbourne School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 24 schools (18 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hastings School Inspection Breakdown
82.4% of 20 schools (18 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Hastings |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 20 |
| Primary | 18 | 18 |
| Secondary | 6 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 82.4% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Eastbourne averages 425.9 Mbps – ahead of Hastings's 371.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Eastbourne and 99.2% in Hastings. Gigabit availability stands at 82.4% in Eastbourne and 69.3% in Hastings.
Eastbourne is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (426 vs 371 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hastings leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.8 (C), while Eastbourne averages 69.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,109 in Eastbourne and £1,212 in Hastings. 61.4% of homes in Eastbourne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.6% in Hastings.
Eastbourne has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,405 in Eastbourne and £28,706.5 in Hastings. The median age is 47.6 in Eastbourne and 48.6 in Hastings. Owner-occupancy is 59.7% in Eastbourne versus 64.7% in Hastings. Employment rates stand at 51.8% in Eastbourne and 51.2% in Hastings.
| Indicator | Eastbourne | Hastings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,171 | 91,804 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 48.6 |
| Median Household Income | £30,405 | £28,706.5 |
| Employment Rate | 51.8% | 51.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.7% | 64.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.8% | 29.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Eastbourne and Hastings?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Eastbourne or Hastings?
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