Town comparison
Helston vs St Ives (Cornwall)
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, Helston edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Helston
£367,827
St Ives (Cornwall)
£378,736
Crime Rate
Helston
62.1
St Ives (Cornwall)
62.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Helston
66.7%
St Ives (Cornwall)
50.0%
Avg Download Speed
Helston
295.6
St Ives (Cornwall)
131.1
EPC Rating
Helston
66.2
St Ives (Cornwall)
66.2
Median Income
Helston
£27,819
St Ives (Cornwall)
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in St Ives (cornwall) commands an average of £378,736, compared with £367,827 in Helston – a difference of 3%. The most affordable entry point in Helston is a flat at £166,571, while in St Ives (cornwall) it is a flat at £170,154.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 11% pricier in St Ives (cornwall) (£309,733 vs £274,492).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, St Ives (cornwall) 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 62.1 per 1,000 in St Ives (cornwall). The most common crime category in Helston is violent-crime, while in St Ives (cornwall) 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 WestFamilies may prefer Helston, where 66.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 50% in St Ives (cornwall). There are 4 schools in Helston and 2 in St Ives (cornwall).
Helston School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
St Ives (Cornwall) School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Helston | St Ives (Cornwall) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 50% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 295.6 Mbps in Helston and 131.1 Mbps in St Ives (cornwall). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.1% of premises in Helston and 93.1% in St Ives (cornwall). Gigabit availability stands at 53% in Helston and 13% in St Ives (cornwall).
Helston is the faster of the two by 125% on average download speed (296 vs 131 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Helston, scoring 66.2 on average (band C) compared to 66.2 (band C) in St Ives (cornwall). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Helston and £1,418 in St Ives (cornwall). 51.5% of homes in Helston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in St Ives (cornwall).
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 St Ives (cornwall). The median age is 47.6 in Helston and 47.6 in St Ives (cornwall). Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Helston and 53.3% in St Ives (cornwall). Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Helston versus 66.2% in St Ives (cornwall). Helston has a population of 11,366 and St Ives (cornwall) has 5,413.
| Indicator | Helston | St Ives (Cornwall) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,366 | 5,413 |
| 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 St Ives (cornwall)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Helston or St Ives (cornwall)?
Is Helston or St Ives (cornwall) safer?
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