Town comparison
Folkestone vs Hythe
Which is better to live in? 3.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Overall, Folkestone offers lower property prices by roughly 0%. Folkestone has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Folkestone edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Folkestone
£332,015
Hythe
£332,015
Crime Rate
Folkestone
75.0
Hythe
75.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Folkestone
100.0%
Hythe
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Folkestone
368.6
Hythe
406.2
EPC Rating
Folkestone
70.1
Hythe
70.1
Median Income
Folkestone
£32,877
Hythe
£32,877
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Folkestone more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £332,015 versus £332,015 in Hythe. The most affordable entry point in Folkestone is a flat at £266,614, while in Hythe it is a flat at £266,614.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Folkestone (£582,530 vs £582,530).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Folkestone prices grew faster — 52% vs 52%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Folkestone (75 per 1,000) compared to Hythe (75 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Folkestone is violent-crime, while in Hythe 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 EastSchool quality favours Folkestone: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Hythe.
Folkestone School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 19 schools (15 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hythe School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (4 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Folkestone | Hythe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 19 | 4 |
| Primary | 15 | 4 |
| Secondary | 4 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Hythe enjoy 406.2 Mbps on average, while Folkestone lags behind at 368.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.1% of premises in Folkestone and 92.2% in Hythe. Gigabit availability stands at 68.8% in Folkestone and 79% in Hythe.
Hythe is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (406 vs 369 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Folkestone is band C (score 70.1), ahead of Hythe's band C (score 70.1). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,184 in Folkestone and £1,184 in Hythe. 63.6% of homes in Folkestone have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.6% in Hythe.
Folkestone has more energy-efficient housing — 63.6% reach band C or above, vs 63.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Folkestone has a population of 51,987 while Hythe has 14,382. Median household income is £32,877 in Folkestone and £32,877 in Hythe. The median age is 47.5 in Folkestone and 47.5 in Hythe. Employment rates stand at 52.2% in Folkestone and 52.2% in Hythe.
| Indicator | Folkestone | Hythe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,987 | 14,382 |
| Median Age | 47.5 | 47.5 |
| Median Household Income | £32,877 | £32,877 |
| Employment Rate | 52.2% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.8% | 65.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Folkestone and Hythe?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Folkestone or Hythe?
Is Folkestone or Hythe safer?
Which has better schools, Folkestone or Hythe?
Which has faster broadband, Folkestone or Hythe?
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