Midsomer Norton vs Shepton Mallet
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Midsomer Norton is about 10% cheaper on average. Midsomer Norton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Shepton Mallet edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Midsomer Norton
£328,420
Shepton Mallet
£365,778
Crime Rate
Midsomer Norton
78.8
Shepton Mallet
106.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Midsomer Norton
85.7%
Shepton Mallet
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Midsomer Norton
355.1
Shepton Mallet
283.7
EPC Rating
Midsomer Norton
68.6
Shepton Mallet
68.4
Median Income
Midsomer Norton
£29,497
Shepton Mallet
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Midsomer Norton is £328,420, which is 10% less than Shepton Mallet at £365,778. The most affordable entry point in Midsomer Norton is a flat at £154,562, while in Shepton Mallet it is a flat at £167,409.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 23% pricier in Shepton Mallet (£549,432 vs £423,380).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Midsomer Norton prices grew faster — 40% vs 10%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 78.8 offences per 1,000 people, Midsomer Norton is the safer of the two – 35% lower than Shepton Mallet's 106.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Midsomer Norton is violent-crime, while in Shepton Mallet 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 WestShepton Mallet has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 85.7% in Midsomer Norton. Midsomer Norton has 8 schools in total, while Shepton Mallet has 4.
Midsomer Norton School Inspection Breakdown
85.7% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shepton Mallet School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Midsomer Norton | Shepton Mallet |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 4 |
| Primary | 6 | 3 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 85.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Midsomer Norton offers faster average downloads at 355.1 Mbps, compared to 283.7 Mbps in Shepton Mallet. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.4% of premises in Midsomer Norton and 74% in Shepton Mallet. Gigabit availability stands at 65.3% in Midsomer Norton and 49.6% in Shepton Mallet.
Midsomer Norton is the faster of the two by 25% on average download speed (355 vs 284 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Midsomer Norton are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 68.6 (band C) versus 68.4 (band C) in Shepton Mallet. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,342 in Midsomer Norton and £1,363 in Shepton Mallet. 58.4% of homes in Midsomer Norton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Shepton Mallet.
Midsomer Norton has more energy-efficient housing — 58.4% reach band C or above, vs 57.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,496.6 in Midsomer Norton and £28,807 in Shepton Mallet. The median age is 46.5 in Midsomer Norton and 47.3 in Shepton Mallet. Employment rates stand at 56.5% in Midsomer Norton and 56.8% in Shepton Mallet. Owner-occupancy is 67.1% in Midsomer Norton versus 67.6% in Shepton Mallet.
| Indicator | Midsomer Norton | Shepton Mallet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,749 | 10,102 |
| Median Age | 46.5 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £29,496.6 | £28,807 |
| Employment Rate | 56.5% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.1% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.4% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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