The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Highworth wins on house prices with a 46% gap. Fairford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Fairford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Fairford
£478,257
Highworth
£327,310
Crime Rate
Fairford
45.0
Highworth
68.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Fairford
100.0%
Highworth
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Fairford
308.4
Highworth
287.8
EPC Rating
Fairford
69.5
Highworth
70.1
Median Income
Fairford
£32,467
Highworth
£33,050
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Fairford commands an average of £478,257, compared with £327,310 in Highworth – a difference of 46%. The most affordable entry point in Fairford is a flat at £164,167, while in Highworth it is a flat at £152,685.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 35% pricier in Fairford (£372,288 vs £275,599).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Highworth prices grew faster — 38% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Fairford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 45 per 1,000 versus 68.8 per 1,000 in Highworth. The most common crime category in Fairford is violent-crime, while in Highworth 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 WestFamilies may prefer Fairford, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Highworth. There are 2 schools in Fairford and 4 in Highworth.
Fairford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Highworth School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Fairford | Highworth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 308.4 Mbps in Fairford and 287.8 Mbps in Highworth. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.1% of premises in Fairford and 88.4% in Highworth. Gigabit availability stands at 55.2% in Fairford and 48.2% in Highworth.
Fairford is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (308 vs 288 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Highworth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.1 (C), while Fairford averages 69.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Fairford and £1,322 in Highworth. 60.1% of homes in Fairford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.1% in Highworth.
Highworth has more energy-efficient housing — 62.1% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,049.5 in Highworth and £32,466.8 in Fairford. The median age is 46.2 in Fairford and 44.9 in Highworth. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Fairford versus 66% in Highworth. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Fairford and 61% in Highworth.
| Indicator | Fairford | Highworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,240 | 7,932 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44.9 |
| Median Household Income | £32,466.8 | £33,049.5 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 61% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 66% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 36.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Fairford and Highworth?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Fairford or Highworth?
Is Fairford or Highworth safer?
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