Ferndown vs Swanage
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Swanage wins on house prices with a 3% gap. Swanage has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ferndown edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ferndown
£417,956
Swanage
£404,468
Crime Rate
Ferndown
44.8
Swanage
39.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ferndown
100.0%
Swanage
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ferndown
321.2
Swanage
318.6
EPC Rating
Ferndown
68.3
Swanage
68.3
Median Income
Ferndown
£29,709
Swanage
£29,709
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £404,468, Swanage undercuts Ferndown (£417,956) by around 3% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ferndown is a flat at £211,162, while in Swanage it is a flat at £278,951.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 24% pricier in Swanage (£278,951 vs £211,162).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ferndown prices grew faster — 22% vs 19%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Swanage experience less crime overall, with a rate of 39.7 per 1,000 versus 44.8 per 1,000 in Ferndown. The most common crime category in Ferndown is violent-crime, while in Swanage 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 Swanage, which has 4 schools, the figure is 100%.
Ferndown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Swanage School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ferndown | Swanage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ferndown averages 321.2 Mbps – ahead of Swanage's 318.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Ferndown and 95% in Swanage. Gigabit availability stands at 57.9% in Ferndown and 57.4% in Swanage.
Ferndown is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (321 vs 319 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Ferndown, scoring 68.3 on average (band C) compared to 68.3 (band C) in Swanage. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Ferndown and £1,375 in Swanage. 56% of homes in Ferndown have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56% in Swanage.
Ferndown has more energy-efficient housing — 56% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,709 in Ferndown and £29,709 in Swanage. The median age is 51.1 in Ferndown and 51.1 in Swanage. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Ferndown and 52.1% in Swanage. Owner-occupancy is 70.4% in Ferndown versus 70.4% in Swanage. Ferndown has a population of 13,267 and Swanage has 9,115.
| Indicator | Ferndown | Swanage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,267 | 9,115 |
| Median Age | 51.1 | 51.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,709 | £29,709 |
| Employment Rate | 52.1% | 52.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.4% | 70.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 31.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ferndown and Swanage?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ferndown or Swanage?
Is Ferndown or Swanage safer?
Which has better schools, Ferndown or Swanage?
Which has faster broadband, Ferndown or Swanage?
Keep exploring