Town comparison
Ellesmere vs Wem
Which is better to live in? 8.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Wem is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 2% lower. Wem has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ellesmere edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ellesmere
£285,352
Wem
£280,551
Crime Rate
Ellesmere
48.4
Wem
48.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ellesmere
100.0%
Wem
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ellesmere
375
Wem
237.5
EPC Rating
Ellesmere
69.1
Wem
72.1
Median Income
Ellesmere
£29,576
Wem
£29,661
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsAt £280,551, Wem undercuts Ellesmere (£285,352) by around 2% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ellesmere is a flat at £133,667, while in Wem it is a flat at £119,667.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 13% pricier in Ellesmere (£398,936 vs £352,341).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ellesmere prices grew faster — 54% vs 53%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsWem has a crime rate of 48.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Ellesmere at 48.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Ellesmere is violent-crime, while in Wem 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 MidlandsOf the 2 schools in Ellesmere, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Wem, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Ellesmere School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Wem School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ellesmere | Wem |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ellesmere averages 375.0 Mbps – ahead of Wem's 237.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.1% of premises in Ellesmere and 77% in Wem. Gigabit availability stands at 71.9% in Ellesmere and 40.2% in Wem.
Ellesmere is the faster of the two by 58% on average download speed (375 vs 238 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Wem leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.1 (C), while Ellesmere averages 69.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,405 in Ellesmere and £1,205 in Wem. 59.2% of homes in Ellesmere have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.6% in Wem.
Wem has more energy-efficient housing — 68.6% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,660.5 in Wem and £29,576 in Ellesmere. The median age is 48.1 in Ellesmere and 44.8 in Wem. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Ellesmere versus 64.2% in Wem. Employment rates stand at 56% in Ellesmere and 56.8% in Wem.
| Indicator | Ellesmere | Wem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,812 | 6,287 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 44.8 |
| Median Household Income | £29,576 | £29,660.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 64.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.5% | 29.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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