Frome vs Midsomer Norton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Midsomer Norton is about 17% cheaper on average. Midsomer Norton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Midsomer Norton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Frome
£383,713
Midsomer Norton
£328,420
Crime Rate
Frome
83.1
Midsomer Norton
78.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Frome
70.0%
Midsomer Norton
85.7%
Avg Download Speed
Frome
389.2
Midsomer Norton
355.1
EPC Rating
Frome
68.6
Midsomer Norton
68.6
Median Income
Frome
£28,887
Midsomer Norton
£29,497
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Midsomer Norton more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £328,420 versus £383,713 in Frome. The most affordable entry point in Frome is a flat at £181,071, while in Midsomer Norton it is a flat at £154,562.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 26% pricier in Frome (£534,130 vs £423,380).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Frome prices grew faster — 42% vs 40%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 78.8 offences per 1,000 people, Midsomer Norton is the safer of the two – 5% lower than Frome's 83.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Frome is violent-crime, while in Midsomer Norton 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 WestSchool quality favours Midsomer Norton: 85.7% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 70% in Frome.
Frome School Inspection Breakdown
70% of 10 schools (7 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Midsomer Norton School Inspection Breakdown
85.7% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Frome | Midsomer Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 10 | 8 |
| Primary | 7 | 6 |
| Secondary | 3 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 70% | 85.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Frome enjoy 389.2 Mbps on average, while Midsomer Norton lags behind at 355.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 82.6% of premises in Frome and 87.4% in Midsomer Norton. Gigabit availability stands at 75.8% in Frome and 65.3% in Midsomer Norton.
Frome is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (389 vs 355 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Frome is band C (score 68.6), ahead of Midsomer Norton's band C (score 68.6). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,350 in Frome and £1,342 in Midsomer Norton. 58.3% of homes in Frome have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.4% in Midsomer Norton.
Midsomer Norton has more energy-efficient housing — 58.4% reach band C or above, vs 58.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Frome has a population of 27,904 while Midsomer Norton has 13,749. Median household income is £29,496.6 in Midsomer Norton and £28,887.4 in Frome. The median age is 47 in Frome and 46.5 in Midsomer Norton. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Frome and 56.5% in Midsomer Norton.
| Indicator | Frome | Midsomer Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,904 | 13,749 |
| Median Age | 47 | 46.5 |
| Median Household Income | £28,887.4 | £29,496.6 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 56.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.4% | 67.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.3% | 32.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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