Town comparison
Falmouth vs Hayle
Which is better to live in? 14.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Hayle wins on house prices with a 34% gap. Falmouth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Falmouth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Falmouth
£423,211
Hayle
£316,888
Crime Rate
Falmouth
62.2
Hayle
62.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Falmouth
100.0%
Hayle
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Falmouth
373.5
Hayle
291
EPC Rating
Falmouth
66.2
Hayle
66.2
Median Income
Falmouth
£27,819
Hayle
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £316,888, Hayle undercuts Falmouth (£423,211) by around 34% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Falmouth is a flat at £339,708, while in Hayle it is a flat at £157,321.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 116% pricier in Falmouth (£339,708 vs £157,321).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hayle prices grew faster — 44% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Falmouth experience less crime overall, with a rate of 62.2 per 1,000 versus 62.3 per 1,000 in Hayle. The most common crime category in Falmouth is violent-crime, while in Hayle 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 6 schools in Falmouth, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Hayle, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Falmouth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hayle School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Falmouth | Hayle |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 3 |
| Primary | 5 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Falmouth averages 373.5 Mbps – ahead of Hayle's 291.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.2% of premises in Falmouth and 87.9% in Hayle. Gigabit availability stands at 71.5% in Falmouth and 51.8% in Hayle.
Falmouth is the faster of the two by 28% on average download speed (374 vs 291 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Falmouth, scoring 66.2 on average (band C) compared to 66.2 (band C) in Hayle. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Falmouth and £1,418 in Hayle. 51.5% of homes in Falmouth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Hayle.
Falmouth has more energy-efficient housing — 51.5% reach band C or above, vs 51.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,819 in Falmouth and £27,819 in Hayle. The median age is 47.6 in Falmouth and 47.6 in Hayle. Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Falmouth and 53.3% in Hayle. Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Falmouth versus 66.2% in Hayle. Falmouth has a population of 24,066 and Hayle has 9,040.
| Indicator | Falmouth | Hayle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,066 | 9,040 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 47.6 |
| Median Household Income | £27,819 | £27,819 |
| Employment Rate | 53.3% | 53.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.2% | 66.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.6% | 30.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Falmouth and Hayle?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Falmouth or Hayle?
Is Falmouth or Hayle safer?
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