Frome vs Melksham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Melksham wins on house prices with a 21% gap. Melksham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Melksham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Frome
£383,713
Melksham
£316,592
Crime Rate
Frome
83.1
Melksham
48.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Frome
70.0%
Melksham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Frome
389.2
Melksham
328.9
EPC Rating
Frome
68.6
Melksham
69.2
Median Income
Frome
£28,887
Melksham
£29,209
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £316,592, Melksham undercuts Frome (£383,713) by around 21% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Frome is a flat at £181,071, while in Melksham it is a flat at £138,625.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 31% pricier in Frome (£181,071 vs £138,625).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Frome prices grew faster — 42% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Melksham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 48.8 per 1,000 versus 83.1 per 1,000 in Frome. The most common crime category in Frome is violent-crime, while in Melksham 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 10 schools in Frome, 70% are in the top two inspection bands. In Melksham, which has 4 schools, the figure is 100%.
Frome School Inspection Breakdown
70% of 10 schools (7 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Melksham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (4 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Frome | Melksham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 10 | 4 |
| Primary | 7 | 4 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 70% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Frome averages 389.2 Mbps – ahead of Melksham's 328.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 82.6% of premises in Frome and 92.4% in Melksham. Gigabit availability stands at 75.8% in Frome and 60.4% in Melksham.
Frome is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (389 vs 329 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Melksham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.2 (C), while Frome averages 68.6 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,350 in Frome and £1,297 in Melksham. 58.3% of homes in Frome have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.1% in Melksham.
Melksham has more energy-efficient housing — 60.1% reach band C or above, vs 58.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,209 in Melksham and £28,887.4 in Frome. The median age is 47 in Frome and 45.5 in Melksham. Owner-occupancy is 67.4% in Frome versus 66.8% in Melksham. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Frome and 60.2% in Melksham.
| Indicator | Frome | Melksham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,904 | 18,277 |
| Median Age | 47 | 45.5 |
| Median Household Income | £28,887.4 | £29,209 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 60.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.4% | 66.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.3% | 34.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Frome and Melksham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Frome or Melksham?
Is Frome or Melksham safer?
Which has better schools, Frome or Melksham?
Which has faster broadband, Frome or Melksham?
Keep exploring