Town comparison
Fairford vs Royal Wootton Bassett
Which is better to live in? 12.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Royal Wootton Bassett is about 51% cheaper on average. Fairford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Fairford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Fairford
£478,257
Royal Wootton Bassett
£317,002
Crime Rate
Fairford
45.0
Royal Wootton Bassett
48.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Fairford
100.0%
Royal Wootton Bassett
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Fairford
308.4
Royal Wootton Bassett
406.8
EPC Rating
Fairford
69.5
Royal Wootton Bassett
70.5
Median Income
Fairford
£32,467
Royal Wootton Bassett
£31,065
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Royal Wootton Bassett more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £317,002 versus £478,257 in Fairford. The most affordable entry point in Fairford is a flat at £164,167, while in Royal Wootton Bassett it is a flat at £151,672.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 37% pricier in Fairford (£372,288 vs £272,041).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Fairford prices grew faster — 33% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 45 offences per 1,000 people, Fairford is the safer of the two – 8% lower than Royal Wootton Bassett's 48.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Fairford is violent-crime, while in Royal Wootton Bassett 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 WestSchool quality favours Fairford: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Fairford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Royal Wootton Bassett School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Fairford | Royal Wootton Bassett |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 5 |
| Primary | 1 | 4 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Royal Wootton Bassett enjoy 406.8 Mbps on average, while Fairford lags behind at 308.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.1% of premises in Fairford and 87.8% in Royal Wootton Bassett. Gigabit availability stands at 55.2% in Fairford and 79.3% in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Royal Wootton Bassett is the faster of the two by 32% on average download speed (407 vs 308 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Royal Wootton Bassett is band C (score 70.5), ahead of Fairford's band C (score 69.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,394 in Fairford and £1,190 in Royal Wootton Bassett. 60.1% of homes in Fairford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.4% in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Royal Wootton Bassett has more energy-efficient housing — 64.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Fairford has a population of 4,240 while Royal Wootton Bassett has 13,002. Median household income is £32,466.8 in Fairford and £31,065 in Royal Wootton Bassett. The median age is 46.2 in Fairford and 43.4 in Royal Wootton Bassett. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Fairford and 61.6% in Royal Wootton Bassett.
| Indicator | Fairford | Royal Wootton Bassett |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,240 | 13,002 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £32,466.8 | £31,065 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 61.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 65.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39% | 31.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Fairford and Royal Wootton Bassett?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Fairford or Royal Wootton Bassett?
Is Fairford or Royal Wootton Bassett safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Fairford or Royal Wootton Bassett?
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