Hailsham vs Polegate
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Hailsham is about 1% cheaper on average. Polegate has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Polegate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Hailsham
£366,864
Polegate
£371,037
Crime Rate
Hailsham
41.3
Polegate
30.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Hailsham
66.7%
Polegate
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Hailsham
294.1
Polegate
167.9
EPC Rating
Hailsham
70.4
Polegate
70.4
Median Income
Hailsham
£31,002
Polegate
£31,002
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Hailsham more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £366,864 versus £371,037 in Polegate. The most affordable entry point in Hailsham is a flat at £182,069, while in Polegate it is a flat at £153,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 19% pricier in Hailsham (£182,069 vs £153,069).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Polegate prices grew faster — 21% vs 16%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastWith 30.3 offences per 1,000 people, Polegate is the safer of the two – 36% lower than Hailsham's 41.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Hailsham is violent-crime, while in Polegate 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 Polegate: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 66.7% in Hailsham.
Hailsham School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Polegate School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Hailsham | Polegate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 1 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Hailsham enjoy 294.1 Mbps on average, while Polegate lags behind at 167.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.8% of premises in Hailsham and 93.8% in Polegate. Gigabit availability stands at 51.5% in Hailsham and 21.7% in Polegate.
Hailsham is the faster of the two by 75% on average download speed (294 vs 168 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Hailsham is band C (score 70.4), ahead of Polegate's band C (score 70.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,299 in Hailsham and £1,299 in Polegate. 60.2% of homes in Hailsham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.2% in Polegate.
Hailsham has more energy-efficient housing — 60.2% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Hailsham has a population of 22,560 while Polegate has 10,067. Median household income is £31,002 in Hailsham and £31,002 in Polegate. The median age is 48.9 in Hailsham and 48.9 in Polegate. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Hailsham and 55.8% in Polegate.
| Indicator | Hailsham | Polegate |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,560 | 10,067 |
| Median Age | 48.9 | 48.9 |
| Median Household Income | £31,002 | £31,002 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 77% | 77% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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