Eastbourne vs Polegate
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Eastbourne wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Polegate has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Polegate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Eastbourne
£336,740
Polegate
£371,037
Crime Rate
Eastbourne
109.6
Polegate
30.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Eastbourne
83.3%
Polegate
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Eastbourne
425.9
Polegate
167.9
EPC Rating
Eastbourne
69.5
Polegate
70.4
Median Income
Eastbourne
£30,405
Polegate
£31,002
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £336,740, Eastbourne undercuts Polegate (£371,037) by around 9% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Eastbourne is a flat at £206,711, while in Polegate 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 Polegate experience less crime overall, with a rate of 30.3 per 1,000 versus 109.6 per 1,000 in Eastbourne. The most common crime category in Eastbourne is violent-crime, while in Polegate 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 Polegate, which has 1 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.
Polegate School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Polegate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 1 |
| Primary | 18 | 1 |
| Secondary | 6 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Eastbourne averages 425.9 Mbps – ahead of Polegate's 167.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Eastbourne and 93.8% in Polegate. Gigabit availability stands at 82.4% in Eastbourne and 21.7% in Polegate.
Eastbourne is the faster of the two by 154% on average download speed (426 vs 168 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Polegate, scoring 70.4 on average (band C) compared to 69.5 (band C) in Eastbourne. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,109 in Eastbourne and £1,299 in Polegate. 61.4% of homes in Eastbourne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.2% in Polegate.
Eastbourne has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,002 in Polegate and £30,405 in Eastbourne. The median age is 47.6 in Eastbourne and 48.9 in Polegate. Employment rates stand at 51.8% in Eastbourne and 55.8% in Polegate. Owner-occupancy is 59.7% in Eastbourne versus 77% in Polegate. Eastbourne has a population of 99,171 and Polegate has 10,067.
| Indicator | Eastbourne | Polegate |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,171 | 10,067 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 48.9 |
| Median Household Income | £30,405 | £31,002 |
| Employment Rate | 51.8% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.7% | 77% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.8% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Eastbourne and Polegate?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Eastbourne or Polegate?
Is Eastbourne or Polegate safer?
Which has better schools, Eastbourne or Polegate?
Which has faster broadband, Eastbourne or Polegate?
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