Town comparison
Helston vs Penzance
Which is better to live in? 12.0 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Helston wins on house prices with a 3% gap. Helston has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Penzance edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Helston
£367,827
Penzance
£378,736
Crime Rate
Helston
62.1
Penzance
62.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Helston
66.7%
Penzance
80.0%
Avg Download Speed
Helston
295.6
Penzance
370.8
EPC Rating
Helston
66.2
Penzance
66.2
Median Income
Helston
£27,819
Penzance
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £367,827, Helston undercuts Penzance (£378,736) by around 3% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Helston is a flat at £166,571, while in Penzance it is a flat at £170,154.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 11% pricier in Penzance (£309,733 vs £274,492).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Penzance prices grew faster — 61% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Helston experience less crime overall, with a rate of 62.1 per 1,000 versus 62.2 per 1,000 in Penzance. The most common crime category in Helston is violent-crime, while in Penzance 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 Penzance, which has 7 schools, the figure is 80%.
Helston School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Penzance School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 7 schools (5 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Helston | Penzance |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 7 |
| Primary | 3 | 5 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 80% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Penzance averages 370.8 Mbps – ahead of Helston's 295.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.1% of premises in Helston and 86.2% in Penzance. Gigabit availability stands at 53% in Helston and 70.8% in Penzance.
Penzance is the faster of the two by 25% on average download speed (371 vs 296 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Helston leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.2 (C), while Penzance averages 66.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Helston and £1,418 in Penzance. 51.5% of homes in Helston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Penzance.
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 Penzance. The median age is 47.6 in Helston and 47.6 in Penzance. Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Helston versus 66.2% in Penzance. Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Helston and 53.3% in Penzance.
| Indicator | Helston | Penzance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,366 | 14,957 |
| 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 Helston and Penzance?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Helston or Penzance?
Is Helston or Penzance safer?
Which has better schools, Helston or Penzance?
Which has faster broadband, Helston or Penzance?
Keep exploring