Town comparison
Eastbourne vs Lower Willingdon
Which is better to live in? 2.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Eastbourne wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Lower Willingdon has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Lower Willingdon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Eastbourne
£336,740
Lower Willingdon
£371,037
Crime Rate
Eastbourne
109.6
Lower Willingdon
41.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Eastbourne
83.3%
Lower Willingdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Eastbourne
425.9
Lower Willingdon
306.7
EPC Rating
Eastbourne
69.5
Lower Willingdon
70
Median Income
Eastbourne
£30,405
Lower Willingdon
£30,704
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £336,740, Eastbourne undercuts Lower Willingdon (£371,037) by around 9% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Eastbourne is a flat at £206,711, while in Lower Willingdon it is a flat at £153,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 35% pricier in Eastbourne (£206,711 vs £153,069).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Eastbourne prices grew faster — 34% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Lower Willingdon experience less crime overall, with a rate of 41.3 per 1,000 versus 109.6 per 1,000 in Eastbourne. The most common crime category in Eastbourne is violent-crime, while in Lower Willingdon 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 Lower Willingdon, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Eastbourne School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 24 schools (18 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lower Willingdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Lower Willingdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 2 |
| Primary | 18 | 1 |
| Secondary | 6 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Eastbourne averages 425.9 Mbps – ahead of Lower Willingdon's 306.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Eastbourne and 97.4% in Lower Willingdon. Gigabit availability stands at 82.4% in Eastbourne and 54.3% in Lower Willingdon.
Eastbourne is the faster of the two by 39% on average download speed (426 vs 307 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Lower Willingdon leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while Eastbourne averages 69.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,109 in Eastbourne and £1,204 in Lower Willingdon. 61.4% of homes in Eastbourne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.8% in Lower Willingdon.
Eastbourne has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,703.5 in Lower Willingdon and £30,405 in Eastbourne. The median age is 47.6 in Eastbourne and 48.2 in Lower Willingdon. Owner-occupancy is 59.7% in Eastbourne versus 68.3% in Lower Willingdon. Employment rates stand at 51.8% in Eastbourne and 53.8% in Lower Willingdon.
| Indicator | Eastbourne | Lower Willingdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,171 | 6,126 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 48.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,405 | £30,703.5 |
| Employment Rate | 51.8% | 53.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.7% | 68.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.8% | 31.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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