Ilminster vs Monkton Heathfield
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Monkton Heathfield offers lower property prices by roughly 6%. Monkton Heathfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ilminster edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ilminster
£325,338
Monkton Heathfield
£308,030
Crime Rate
Ilminster
83.4
Monkton Heathfield
82.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ilminster
100.0%
Monkton Heathfield
50.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ilminster
347.2
Monkton Heathfield
459.6
EPC Rating
Ilminster
68.4
Monkton Heathfield
68.4
Median Income
Ilminster
£28,807
Monkton Heathfield
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Monkton Heathfield more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £308,030 versus £325,338 in Ilminster. The most affordable entry point in Ilminster is a flat at £154,250, while in Monkton Heathfield it is a flat at £183,750.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 16% pricier in Monkton Heathfield (£183,750 vs £154,250).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ilminster prices grew faster — 29% vs 8%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 82.6 offences per 1,000 people, Monkton Heathfield is the safer of the two – 1% lower than Ilminster's 83.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Ilminster is violent-crime, while in Monkton Heathfield 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 WestSchool quality favours Ilminster: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 50% in Monkton Heathfield.
Ilminster School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Monkton Heathfield School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ilminster | Monkton Heathfield |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 50% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Monkton Heathfield enjoy 459.6 Mbps on average, while Ilminster lags behind at 347.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.1% of premises in Ilminster and 96.5% in Monkton Heathfield. Gigabit availability stands at 65.4% in Ilminster and 90.8% in Monkton Heathfield.
Monkton Heathfield is the faster of the two by 32% on average download speed (460 vs 347 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Ilminster is band C (score 68.4), ahead of Monkton Heathfield's band C (score 68.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,363 in Ilminster and £1,363 in Monkton Heathfield. 57.9% of homes in Ilminster have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Monkton Heathfield.
Ilminster has more energy-efficient housing — 57.9% reach band C or above, vs 57.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Ilminster has a population of 5,961 while Monkton Heathfield has 3,909. Median household income is £28,807 in Ilminster and £28,807 in Monkton Heathfield. The median age is 47.3 in Ilminster and 47.3 in Monkton Heathfield. Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Ilminster and 56.8% in Monkton Heathfield.
| Indicator | Ilminster | Monkton Heathfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,961 | 3,909 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,807 | £28,807 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.5% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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