Town comparison
Hastings vs Stone Cross
Which is better to live in? 12.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Hastings wins on house prices with a 12% gap. Stone Cross has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Stone Cross edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Hastings
£332,823
Stone Cross
£376,546
Crime Rate
Hastings
107.8
Stone Cross
41.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Hastings
82.4%
Stone Cross
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Hastings
371.3
Stone Cross
168.2
EPC Rating
Hastings
69.8
Stone Cross
69.2
Median Income
Hastings
£28,707
Stone Cross
£30,597
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Stone Cross commands an average of £376,546, compared with £332,823 in Hastings – a difference of 12%. The most affordable entry point in Hastings is a flat at £150,131, while in Stone Cross it is a flat at £172,696.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 13% pricier in Stone Cross (£172,696 vs £150,131).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hastings prices grew faster — 38% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Stone Cross experience less crime overall, with a rate of 41.5 per 1,000 versus 107.8 per 1,000 in Hastings. The most common crime category in Hastings is violent-crime, while in Stone Cross 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 EastFamilies may prefer Stone Cross, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 82.4% in Hastings. There are 20 schools in Hastings and 1 in Stone Cross.
Hastings School Inspection Breakdown
82.4% of 20 schools (18 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Stone Cross School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Hastings | Stone Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 20 | 1 |
| Primary | 18 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 82.4% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 371.3 Mbps in Hastings and 168.2 Mbps in Stone Cross. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Hastings and 95.9% in Stone Cross. Gigabit availability stands at 69.3% in Hastings and 21.6% in Stone Cross.
Hastings is the faster of the two by 121% on average download speed (371 vs 168 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hastings leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.8 (C), while Stone Cross averages 69.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,212 in Hastings and £1,316 in Stone Cross. 60.6% of homes in Hastings have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.2% in Stone Cross.
Hastings has more energy-efficient housing — 60.6% reach band C or above, vs 57.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,597 in Stone Cross and £28,706.5 in Hastings. The median age is 48.6 in Hastings and 50.9 in Stone Cross. Owner-occupancy is 64.7% in Hastings versus 74.8% in Stone Cross. Employment rates stand at 51.2% in Hastings and 51.8% in Stone Cross.
| Indicator | Hastings | Stone Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,804 | 5,036 |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 50.9 |
| Median Household Income | £28,706.5 | £30,597 |
| Employment Rate | 51.2% | 51.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.7% | 74.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.2% | 31.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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