Gillingham (Dorset) vs Shaftesbury
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Gillingham (dorset) offers lower property prices by roughly 15%. Gillingham (dorset) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Shaftesbury edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Gillingham (Dorset)
£349,487
Shaftesbury
£409,278
Crime Rate
Gillingham (Dorset)
29.2
Shaftesbury
94.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Gillingham (Dorset)
66.7%
Shaftesbury
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Gillingham (Dorset)
404.2
Shaftesbury
387.6
EPC Rating
Gillingham (Dorset)
68.3
Shaftesbury
68.8
Median Income
Gillingham (Dorset)
£29,709
Shaftesbury
£29,459
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Gillingham (dorset) is £349,487, which is 15% less than Shaftesbury at £409,278. The most affordable entry point in Gillingham (dorset) is a flat at £144,339, while in Shaftesbury it is a flat at £171,922.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 16% pricier in Shaftesbury (£171,922 vs £144,339).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Shaftesbury prices grew faster — 51% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 29.2 offences per 1,000 people, Gillingham (dorset) is the safer of the two – 222% lower than Shaftesbury's 94.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Gillingham (dorset) is violent-crime, while in Shaftesbury 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 WestShaftesbury has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 66.7% in Gillingham (dorset). Gillingham (dorset) has 4 schools in total, while Shaftesbury has 3.
Gillingham (Dorset) School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shaftesbury School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Gillingham (Dorset) | Shaftesbury |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 3 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Gillingham (dorset) offers faster average downloads at 404.2 Mbps, compared to 387.6 Mbps in Shaftesbury. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.5% of premises in Gillingham (dorset) and 91.3% in Shaftesbury. Gigabit availability stands at 78.1% in Gillingham (dorset) and 74.4% in Shaftesbury.
Gillingham (dorset) is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (404 vs 388 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Shaftesbury are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 68.8 (band C) versus 68.3 (band C) in Gillingham (dorset). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Gillingham (dorset) and £1,336 in Shaftesbury. 56% of homes in Gillingham (dorset) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58% in Shaftesbury.
Shaftesbury has more energy-efficient housing — 58% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,709 in Gillingham (dorset) and £29,459 in Shaftesbury. The median age is 51.1 in Gillingham (dorset) and 48.3 in Shaftesbury. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Gillingham (dorset) and 56.2% in Shaftesbury. Owner-occupancy is 70.4% in Gillingham (dorset) versus 68.6% in Shaftesbury.
| Indicator | Gillingham (Dorset) | Shaftesbury |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,009 | 9,163 |
| Median Age | 51.1 | 48.3 |
| Median Household Income | £29,709 | £29,459 |
| Employment Rate | 52.1% | 56.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.4% | 68.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 32.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Gillingham (dorset) and Shaftesbury?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Gillingham (dorset) or Shaftesbury?
Is Gillingham (dorset) or Shaftesbury safer?
Which has better schools, Gillingham (dorset) or Shaftesbury?
Which has faster broadband, Gillingham (dorset) or Shaftesbury?
Keep exploring