Town comparison
Hayle vs Helston
Which is better to live in? 8.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Hayle is about 14% cheaper on average. Helston has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hayle edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Hayle
£316,888
Helston
£367,827
Crime Rate
Hayle
62.3
Helston
62.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Hayle
100.0%
Helston
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Hayle
291
Helston
295.6
EPC Rating
Hayle
66.2
Helston
66.2
Median Income
Hayle
£27,819
Helston
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Hayle more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £316,888 versus £367,827 in Helston. The most affordable entry point in Hayle is a flat at £157,321, while in Helston it is a flat at £166,571.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 10% pricier in Hayle (£302,566 vs £274,492).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hayle prices grew faster — 44% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Helston (62.1 per 1,000) compared to Hayle (62.3 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Hayle is violent-crime, while in Helston 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 Hayle: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 66.7% in Helston.
Hayle School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Helston School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Hayle | Helston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 4 |
| Primary | 2 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Helston enjoy 295.6 Mbps on average, while Hayle lags behind at 291.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.9% of premises in Hayle and 86.1% in Helston. Gigabit availability stands at 51.8% in Hayle and 53% in Helston.
Helston is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (296 vs 291 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Hayle is band C (score 66.2), ahead of Helston's band C (score 66.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Hayle and £1,418 in Helston. 51.5% of homes in Hayle have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Helston.
Hayle has more energy-efficient housing — 51.5% reach band C or above, vs 51.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Hayle has a population of 9,040 while Helston has 11,366. Median household income is £27,819 in Hayle and £27,819 in Helston. The median age is 47.6 in Hayle and 47.6 in Helston. Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Hayle and 53.3% in Helston.
| Indicator | Hayle | Helston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,040 | 11,366 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 47.6 |
| Median Household Income | £27,819 | £27,819 |
| Employment Rate | 53.3% | 53.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.2% | 66.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.6% | 30.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Hayle and Helston?
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