Town comparison
Falmouth vs Porthleven
Which is better to live in? 11.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Porthleven wins on house prices with a 15% gap. Falmouth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Falmouth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Falmouth
£423,211
Porthleven
£367,786
Crime Rate
Falmouth
62.2
Porthleven
62.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Falmouth
100.0%
Porthleven
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Falmouth
373.5
Porthleven
295.6
EPC Rating
Falmouth
66.2
Porthleven
66.2
Median Income
Falmouth
£27,819
Porthleven
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Falmouth commands an average of £423,211, compared with £367,786 in Porthleven – a difference of 15%. The most affordable entry point in Falmouth is a flat at £339,708, while in Porthleven it is a terraced at £276,150.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 30% pricier in Falmouth (£358,156 vs £276,150).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Porthleven prices grew faster — 35% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Falmouth experience less crime overall, with a rate of 62.2 per 1,000 versus 62.2 per 1,000 in Porthleven. The most common crime category in Falmouth is violent-crime, while in Porthleven 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 Falmouth, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 0% in Porthleven. There are 6 schools in Falmouth and 1 in Porthleven.
Falmouth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Porthleven School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Falmouth | Porthleven |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 1 |
| Primary | 5 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 373.5 Mbps in Falmouth and 295.6 Mbps in Porthleven. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.2% of premises in Falmouth and 86.1% in Porthleven. Gigabit availability stands at 71.5% in Falmouth and 53% in Porthleven.
Falmouth is the faster of the two by 26% on average download speed (374 vs 296 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Falmouth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.2 (C), while Porthleven averages 66.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Falmouth and £1,418 in Porthleven. 51.5% of homes in Falmouth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Porthleven.
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 Porthleven. The median age is 47.6 in Falmouth and 47.6 in Porthleven. Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Falmouth versus 66.2% in Porthleven. Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Falmouth and 53.3% in Porthleven.
| Indicator | Falmouth | Porthleven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,066 | 3,118 |
| 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
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