Ilfracombe vs Northam
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Ilfracombe wins on house prices with a 26% gap. For families, Ilfracombe edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ilfracombe
£301,663
Northam
£408,027
Crime Rate
Ilfracombe
117.1
Northam
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ilfracombe
0.0%
Northam
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ilfracombe
204.4
Northam
416.3
EPC Rating
Ilfracombe
67.3
Northam
68.4
Median Income
Ilfracombe
£27,065
Northam
£27,547
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £301,663, Ilfracombe undercuts Northam (£408,027) by around 26% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ilfracombe is a flat at £194,281, while in Northam it is a flat at £131,875.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 47% pricier in Ilfracombe (£194,281 vs £131,875).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Northam prices grew faster — 61% vs -1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Ilfracombe and Northam at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestOf the 3 schools in Ilfracombe, 0% are in the top two inspection bands. In Northam, which has 2 schools, the figure is 0%.
Ilfracombe School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Northam School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ilfracombe | Northam |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 0% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Northam averages 416.3 Mbps – ahead of Ilfracombe's 204.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.9% of premises in Ilfracombe and 88.4% in Northam. Gigabit availability stands at 30.7% in Ilfracombe and 81.6% in Northam.
Northam is the faster of the two by 104% on average download speed (416 vs 204 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Northam leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.4 (C), while Ilfracombe averages 67.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,401 in Ilfracombe and £1,382 in Northam. 52.7% of homes in Ilfracombe have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.6% in Northam.
Northam has more energy-efficient housing — 55.6% reach band C or above, vs 52.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,546.5 in Northam and £27,065 in Ilfracombe. The median age is 48.3 in Ilfracombe and 49.1 in Northam. Owner-occupancy is 67.3% in Ilfracombe versus 68.4% in Northam. Employment rates stand at 55% in Ilfracombe and 53.6% in Northam.
| Indicator | Ilfracombe | Northam |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,199 | 5,191 |
| Median Age | 48.3 | 49.1 |
| Median Household Income | £27,065 | £27,546.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55% | 53.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.3% | 68.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.5% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ilfracombe and Northam?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ilfracombe or Northam?
Is Ilfracombe or Northam safer?
Which has better schools, Ilfracombe or Northam?
Which has faster broadband, Ilfracombe or Northam?
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