Town comparison
Ellesmere vs Oswestry
Which is better to live in? 7.2 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Oswestry is about 1% cheaper on average. Oswestry has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ellesmere edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ellesmere
£285,352
Oswestry
£281,541
Crime Rate
Ellesmere
48.4
Oswestry
48.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ellesmere
100.0%
Oswestry
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ellesmere
375
Oswestry
364.7
EPC Rating
Ellesmere
69.1
Oswestry
69.1
Median Income
Ellesmere
£29,576
Oswestry
£29,576
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsThe average house price in Oswestry is £281,541, which is 1% less than Ellesmere at £285,352. The most affordable entry point in Ellesmere is a flat at £133,667, while in Oswestry it is a flat at £106,286.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 26% pricier in Ellesmere (£133,667 vs £106,286).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ellesmere prices grew faster — 54% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsCrime is lower in Oswestry (48.3 per 1,000) compared to Ellesmere (48.4 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Ellesmere is violent-crime, while in Oswestry 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 West MidlandsEllesmere has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Oswestry. Ellesmere has 2 schools in total, while Oswestry has 5.
Ellesmere School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Oswestry School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ellesmere | Oswestry |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 5 |
| Primary | 1 | 4 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Ellesmere offers faster average downloads at 375.0 Mbps, compared to 364.7 Mbps in Oswestry. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.1% of premises in Ellesmere and 93.6% in Oswestry. Gigabit availability stands at 71.9% in Ellesmere and 63.8% in Oswestry.
Ellesmere is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (375 vs 365 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Ellesmere are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.1 (band C) versus 69.1 (band C) in Oswestry. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,405 in Ellesmere and £1,405 in Oswestry. 59.2% of homes in Ellesmere have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.2% in Oswestry.
Ellesmere has more energy-efficient housing — 59.2% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,576 in Ellesmere and £29,576 in Oswestry. The median age is 48.1 in Ellesmere and 48.1 in Oswestry. Employment rates stand at 56% in Ellesmere and 56% in Oswestry. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Ellesmere versus 68.6% in Oswestry.
| Indicator | Ellesmere | Oswestry |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,812 | 17,500 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,576 | £29,576 |
| Employment Rate | 56% | 56% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 68.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.5% | 32.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ellesmere and Oswestry?
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Is Ellesmere or Oswestry safer?
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