Hastings vs Polegate
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Hastings is about 10% cheaper on average. Polegate has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Polegate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Hastings
£332,823
Polegate
£371,037
Crime Rate
Hastings
107.8
Polegate
30.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Hastings
82.4%
Polegate
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Hastings
371.3
Polegate
167.9
EPC Rating
Hastings
69.8
Polegate
70.4
Median Income
Hastings
£28,707
Polegate
£31,002
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastThe average house price in Hastings is £332,823, which is 10% less than Polegate at £371,037. The most affordable entry point in Hastings is a flat at £150,131, while in Polegate it is a flat at £153,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 12% pricier in Polegate (£549,067 vs £484,425).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hastings prices grew faster — 38% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Polegate (30.3 per 1,000) compared to Hastings (107.8 per 1,000), a 256% difference. The most common crime category in Hastings 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 EastPolegate has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 82.4% in Hastings. Hastings has 20 schools in total, while Polegate has 1.
Hastings School Inspection Breakdown
82.4% of 20 schools (18 primary, 2 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 | Hastings | Polegate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 20 | 1 |
| Primary | 18 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 82.4% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Hastings offers faster average downloads at 371.3 Mbps, compared to 167.9 Mbps in Polegate. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Hastings and 93.8% in Polegate. Gigabit availability stands at 69.3% in Hastings and 21.7% in Polegate.
Hastings is the faster of the two by 121% on average download speed (371 vs 168 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Polegate are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 70.4 (band C) versus 69.8 (band C) in Hastings. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,212 in Hastings and £1,299 in Polegate. 60.6% of homes in Hastings have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.2% in Polegate.
Hastings has more energy-efficient housing — 60.6% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,002 in Polegate and £28,706.5 in Hastings. The median age is 48.6 in Hastings and 48.9 in Polegate. Employment rates stand at 51.2% in Hastings and 55.8% in Polegate. Owner-occupancy is 64.7% in Hastings versus 77% in Polegate.
| Indicator | Hastings | Polegate |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,804 | 10,067 |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 48.9 |
| Median Household Income | £28,706.5 | £31,002 |
| Employment Rate | 51.2% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.7% | 77% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.2% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Hastings and Polegate?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Hastings or Polegate?
Is Hastings or Polegate safer?
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