Ilminster vs Lyme Regis
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Ilminster wins on house prices with a 31% gap. Lyme Regis has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ilminster edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ilminster
£325,338
Lyme Regis
£470,807
Crime Rate
Ilminster
83.4
Lyme Regis
44.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ilminster
100.0%
Lyme Regis
50.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ilminster
347.2
Lyme Regis
379.5
EPC Rating
Ilminster
68.4
Lyme Regis
68.6
Median Income
Ilminster
£28,807
Lyme Regis
£29,812
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestAt £325,338, Ilminster undercuts Lyme Regis (£470,807) by around 31% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ilminster is a flat at £154,250, while in Lyme Regis it is a flat at £318,629.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 52% pricier in Lyme Regis (£318,629 vs £154,250).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Lyme Regis prices grew faster — 33% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Lyme Regis experience less crime overall, with a rate of 44.9 per 1,000 versus 83.4 per 1,000 in Ilminster. The most common crime category in Ilminster is violent-crime, while in Lyme Regis 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 1 schools in Ilminster, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Lyme Regis, which has 2 schools, the figure is 50%.
Ilminster School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lyme Regis School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ilminster | Lyme Regis |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 50% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Lyme Regis averages 379.5 Mbps – ahead of Ilminster's 347.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.1% of premises in Ilminster and 91% in Lyme Regis. Gigabit availability stands at 65.4% in Ilminster and 72.6% in Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (380 vs 347 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Lyme Regis leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.6 (C), while Ilminster averages 68.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,363 in Ilminster and £1,358 in Lyme Regis. 57.9% of homes in Ilminster have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.2% in Lyme Regis.
Ilminster has more energy-efficient housing — 57.9% reach band C or above, vs 57.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,811.5 in Lyme Regis and £28,807 in Ilminster. The median age is 47.3 in Ilminster and 51.2 in Lyme Regis. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in Ilminster versus 71.3% in Lyme Regis. Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Ilminster and 52.2% in Lyme Regis.
| Indicator | Ilminster | Lyme Regis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,961 | 3,741 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 51.2 |
| Median Household Income | £28,807 | £29,811.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 71.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.5% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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