Town comparison
Eastbourne vs Lewes
Which is better to live in? 13.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Eastbourne is about 40% cheaper on average. Lewes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Lewes edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Eastbourne
£336,740
Lewes
£562,635
Crime Rate
Eastbourne
109.6
Lewes
55.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Eastbourne
83.3%
Lewes
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Eastbourne
425.9
Lewes
246.6
EPC Rating
Eastbourne
69.5
Lewes
68.9
Median Income
Eastbourne
£30,405
Lewes
£29,267
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastThe average house price in Eastbourne is £336,740, which is 40% less than Lewes at £562,635. The most affordable entry point in Eastbourne is a flat at £206,711, while in Lewes it is a flat at £272,804.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 41% pricier in Lewes (£502,080 vs £297,959).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Eastbourne prices grew faster — 34% vs 13%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Lewes (55.1 per 1,000) compared to Eastbourne (109.6 per 1,000), a 99% difference. The most common crime category in Eastbourne is violent-crime, while in Lewes 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 EastLewes has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 83.3% in Eastbourne. Eastbourne has 24 schools in total, while Lewes has 5.
Eastbourne School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 24 schools (18 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lewes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Lewes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 5 |
| Primary | 18 | 4 |
| Secondary | 6 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Eastbourne offers faster average downloads at 425.9 Mbps, compared to 246.6 Mbps in Lewes. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Eastbourne and 97.2% in Lewes. Gigabit availability stands at 82.4% in Eastbourne and 40% in Lewes.
Eastbourne is the faster of the two by 73% on average download speed (426 vs 247 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Eastbourne are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.5 (band C) versus 68.9 (band C) in Lewes. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,109 in Eastbourne and £1,263 in Lewes. 61.4% of homes in Eastbourne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.7% in Lewes.
Eastbourne has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 57.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,405 in Eastbourne and £29,267 in Lewes. The median age is 47.6 in Eastbourne and 49.1 in Lewes. Employment rates stand at 51.8% in Eastbourne and 53.5% in Lewes. Owner-occupancy is 59.7% in Eastbourne versus 71.1% in Lewes.
| Indicator | Eastbourne | Lewes |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,171 | 16,066 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 49.1 |
| Median Household Income | £30,405 | £29,267 |
| Employment Rate | 51.8% | 53.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.7% | 71.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.8% | 34.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Eastbourne and Lewes?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Eastbourne or Lewes?
Is Eastbourne or Lewes safer?
Which has better schools, Eastbourne or Lewes?
Which has faster broadband, Eastbourne or Lewes?
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