Town comparison
Helston vs Penryn
Which is better to live in? 8.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Penryn is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 8% lower. Helston has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Penryn edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Helston
£367,827
Penryn
£339,825
Crime Rate
Helston
62.1
Penryn
101.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Helston
66.7%
Penryn
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Helston
295.6
Penryn
307.5
EPC Rating
Helston
66.2
Penryn
66.2
Median Income
Helston
£27,819
Penryn
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £339,825, Penryn undercuts Helston (£367,827) by around 8% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Helston is a flat at £166,571, while in Penryn it is a flat at £180,255.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 12% pricier in Penryn (£312,457 vs £274,492).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Penryn prices grew faster — 53% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestHelston has a crime rate of 62.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 63% lower than Penryn at 101.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Helston is violent-crime, while in Penryn 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 WestOf the 4 schools in Helston, 66.7% are in the top two inspection bands. In Penryn, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Helston School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Penryn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Helston | Penryn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Penryn averages 307.5 Mbps – ahead of Helston's 295.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.1% of premises in Helston and 84.7% in Penryn. Gigabit availability stands at 53% in Helston and 55.7% in Penryn.
Penryn is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (308 vs 296 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Helston leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.2 (C), while Penryn averages 66.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Helston and £1,418 in Penryn. 51.5% of homes in Helston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Penryn.
Helston has more energy-efficient housing — 51.5% reach band C or above, vs 51.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,819 in Helston and £27,819 in Penryn. The median age is 47.6 in Helston and 47.6 in Penryn. Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Helston versus 66.2% in Penryn. Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Helston and 53.3% in Penryn.
| Indicator | Helston | Penryn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,366 | 11,194 |
| 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
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