Gillingham (Dorset) vs Sturminster Newton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Gillingham (dorset) offers lower property prices by roughly 5%. Gillingham (dorset) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Sturminster Newton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Gillingham (Dorset)
£349,487
Sturminster Newton
£367,600
Crime Rate
Gillingham (Dorset)
29.2
Sturminster Newton
45.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Gillingham (Dorset)
66.7%
Sturminster Newton
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Gillingham (Dorset)
404.2
Sturminster Newton
388.5
EPC Rating
Gillingham (Dorset)
68.3
Sturminster Newton
68.4
Median Income
Gillingham (Dorset)
£29,709
Sturminster Newton
£28,987
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Gillingham (dorset) more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £349,487 versus £367,600 in Sturminster Newton. The most affordable entry point in Gillingham (dorset) is a flat at £144,339, while in Sturminster Newton it is a flat at £117,750.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 23% pricier in Gillingham (dorset) (£144,339 vs £117,750).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Gillingham (dorset) prices grew faster — 31% vs 18%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Gillingham (dorset) (29.2 per 1,000) compared to Sturminster Newton (45.2 per 1,000), a 55% difference. The most common crime category in Gillingham (dorset) is violent-crime, while in Sturminster Newton 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 Sturminster Newton: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 66.7% in Gillingham (dorset).
Gillingham (Dorset) School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sturminster Newton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Gillingham (Dorset) | Sturminster Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Gillingham (dorset) enjoy 404.2 Mbps on average, while Sturminster Newton lags behind at 388.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.5% of premises in Gillingham (dorset) and 93.4% in Sturminster Newton. Gigabit availability stands at 78.1% in Gillingham (dorset) and 74.5% in Sturminster Newton.
Gillingham (dorset) is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (404 vs 389 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Sturminster Newton is band C (score 68.4), ahead of Gillingham (dorset)'s band C (score 68.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Gillingham (dorset) and £1,366 in Sturminster Newton. 56% of homes in Gillingham (dorset) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.5% in Sturminster Newton.
Sturminster Newton has more energy-efficient housing — 57.5% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Gillingham (dorset) has a population of 11,009 while Sturminster Newton has 3,565. Median household income is £29,709 in Gillingham (dorset) and £28,987.4 in Sturminster Newton. The median age is 51.1 in Gillingham (dorset) and 48.1 in Sturminster Newton. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Gillingham (dorset) and 55.8% in Sturminster Newton.
| Indicator | Gillingham (Dorset) | Sturminster Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,009 | 3,565 |
| Median Age | 51.1 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,709 | £28,987.4 |
| Employment Rate | 52.1% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.4% | 68.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 30.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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