Ferndown vs Fordingbridge
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Ferndown is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 9% lower. Ferndown has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ferndown edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ferndown
£417,956
Fordingbridge
£457,868
Crime Rate
Ferndown
44.8
Fordingbridge
54.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ferndown
100.0%
Fordingbridge
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ferndown
321.2
Fordingbridge
341.4
EPC Rating
Ferndown
68.3
Fordingbridge
68.7
Median Income
Ferndown
£29,709
Fordingbridge
£29,385
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £417,956, Ferndown undercuts Fordingbridge (£457,868) by around 9% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ferndown is a flat at £211,162, while in Fordingbridge it is a flat at £168,598.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 25% pricier in Ferndown (£211,162 vs £168,598).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ferndown prices grew faster — 22% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestFerndown has a crime rate of 44.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 21% lower than Fordingbridge at 54.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Ferndown is violent-crime, while in Fordingbridge 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 3 schools in Ferndown, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Fordingbridge, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Ferndown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Fordingbridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ferndown | Fordingbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 3 |
| Primary | 1 | 2 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Fordingbridge averages 341.4 Mbps – ahead of Ferndown's 321.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Ferndown and 89.4% in Fordingbridge. Gigabit availability stands at 57.9% in Ferndown and 63.8% in Fordingbridge.
Fordingbridge is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (341 vs 321 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Fordingbridge, scoring 68.7 on average (band C) compared to 68.3 (band C) in Ferndown. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Ferndown and £1,317 in Fordingbridge. 56% of homes in Ferndown have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.1% in Fordingbridge.
Fordingbridge has more energy-efficient housing — 58.1% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,709 in Ferndown and £29,384.7 in Fordingbridge. The median age is 51.1 in Ferndown and 49.3 in Fordingbridge. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Ferndown and 55.1% in Fordingbridge. Owner-occupancy is 70.4% in Ferndown versus 70.5% in Fordingbridge. Ferndown has a population of 13,267 and Fordingbridge has 4,947.
| Indicator | Ferndown | Fordingbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,267 | 4,947 |
| Median Age | 51.1 | 49.3 |
| Median Household Income | £29,709 | £29,384.7 |
| Employment Rate | 52.1% | 55.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.4% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 32.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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