Town comparison
Kendal vs Windermere
Which is better to live in? 7.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Kendal wins on house prices with a 41% gap. For families, Kendal edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Kendal
£303,232
Windermere
£516,230
Crime Rate
Kendal
N/A
Windermere
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Kendal
100.0%
Windermere
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Kendal
461.1
Windermere
115.8
EPC Rating
Kendal
67
Windermere
67
Median Income
Kendal
£33,536
Windermere
£33,536
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £303,232, Kendal undercuts Windermere (£516,230) by around 41% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Kendal is a flat at £171,645, while in Windermere it is a flat at £230,337.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 51% pricier in Windermere (£944,214 vs £460,425).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Windermere prices grew faster — 43% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime rate data is not available for both Kendal and Windermere at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in North WestOf the 9 schools in Kendal, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Windermere, which has 4 schools, the figure is 75%.
Kendal School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Windermere School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Kendal | Windermere |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 9 | 4 |
| Primary | 7 | 3 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Kendal averages 461.1 Mbps – ahead of Windermere's 115.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Kendal and 91.2% in Windermere. Gigabit availability stands at 90.6% in Kendal and 9.8% in Windermere.
Kendal is the faster of the two by 298% on average download speed (461 vs 116 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Kendal, scoring 67 on average (band C) compared to 67 (band C) in Windermere. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,677 in Kendal and £1,677 in Windermere. 47.2% of homes in Kendal have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.2% in Windermere.
Kendal has more energy-efficient housing — 47.2% reach band C or above, vs 47.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,536 in Kendal and £33,536 in Windermere. The median age is 48.2 in Kendal and 48.2 in Windermere. Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Kendal and 56.8% in Windermere. Owner-occupancy is 71.4% in Kendal versus 71.4% in Windermere. Kendal has a population of 28,939 and Windermere has 4,819.
| Indicator | Kendal | Windermere |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,939 | 4,819 |
| Median Age | 48.2 | 48.2 |
| Median Household Income | £33,536 | £33,536 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.4% | 71.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32% | 32% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Kendal and Windermere?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Kendal or Windermere?
Is Kendal or Windermere safer?
Which has better schools, Kendal or Windermere?
Which has faster broadband, Kendal or Windermere?
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