Town comparison
Fairford vs Faringdon
Which is better to live in? 9.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Faringdon wins on house prices with a 11% gap. Fairford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Fairford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Fairford
£478,257
Faringdon
£431,923
Crime Rate
Fairford
45.0
Faringdon
46.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Fairford
100.0%
Faringdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Fairford
308.4
Faringdon
383.8
EPC Rating
Fairford
69.5
Faringdon
73.1
Median Income
Fairford
£32,467
Faringdon
£38,244
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £431,923, Faringdon undercuts Fairford (£478,257) by around 11% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Fairford is a flat at £164,167, while in Faringdon it is a flat at £175,003.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 20% pricier in Fairford (£372,288 vs £309,809).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Fairford prices grew faster — 33% vs -3%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Fairford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 45 per 1,000 versus 46.4 per 1,000 in Faringdon. The most common crime category in Fairford is violent-crime, while in Faringdon 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 WestOf the 2 schools in Fairford, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Faringdon, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Fairford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Faringdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Fairford | Faringdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 3 |
| Primary | 1 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Faringdon averages 383.8 Mbps – ahead of Fairford's 308.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.1% of premises in Fairford and 93% in Faringdon. Gigabit availability stands at 55.2% in Fairford and 73.4% in Faringdon.
Faringdon is the faster of the two by 24% on average download speed (384 vs 308 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Faringdon, scoring 73.1 on average (band C) compared to 69.5 (band C) in Fairford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Fairford and £1,188 in Faringdon. 60.1% of homes in Fairford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68% in Faringdon.
Faringdon has more energy-efficient housing — 68% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,244 in Faringdon and £32,466.8 in Fairford. The median age is 46.2 in Fairford and 44 in Faringdon. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Fairford and 63% in Faringdon. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Fairford versus 68.2% in Faringdon. Fairford has a population of 4,240 and Faringdon has 8,625.
| Indicator | Fairford | Faringdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,240 | 8,625 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £32,466.8 | £38,244 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 63% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 68.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 44% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Fairford and Faringdon?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Fairford or Faringdon?
Is Fairford or Faringdon safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Fairford or Faringdon?
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