Town comparison
Oswestry vs Wem
Which is better to live in? 13.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Wem is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Wem has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Oswestry edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Oswestry
£281,541
Wem
£280,551
Crime Rate
Oswestry
48.3
Wem
48.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Oswestry
100.0%
Wem
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Oswestry
364.7
Wem
237.5
EPC Rating
Oswestry
69.1
Wem
72.1
Median Income
Oswestry
£29,576
Wem
£29,661
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Oswestry commands an average of £281,541, compared with £280,551 in Wem – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Oswestry is a flat at £106,286, while in Wem it is a flat at £119,667.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 11% pricier in Wem (£119,667 vs £106,286).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Wem prices grew faster — 53% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsWem has a crime rate of 48.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Oswestry at 48.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Oswestry is violent-crime, while in Wem 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 West MidlandsFamilies may prefer Oswestry, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Wem. There are 5 schools in Oswestry and 2 in Wem.
Oswestry School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Wem School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Oswestry | Wem |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 2 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 364.7 Mbps in Oswestry and 237.5 Mbps in Wem. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.6% of premises in Oswestry and 77% in Wem. Gigabit availability stands at 63.8% in Oswestry and 40.2% in Wem.
Oswestry is the faster of the two by 54% on average download speed (365 vs 238 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Wem leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.1 (C), while Oswestry averages 69.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,405 in Oswestry and £1,205 in Wem. 59.2% of homes in Oswestry have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.6% in Wem.
Wem has more energy-efficient housing — 68.6% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,660.5 in Wem and £29,576 in Oswestry. The median age is 48.1 in Oswestry and 44.8 in Wem. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Oswestry versus 64.2% in Wem. Employment rates stand at 56% in Oswestry and 56.8% in Wem.
| Indicator | Oswestry | Wem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,500 | 6,287 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 44.8 |
| Median Household Income | £29,576 | £29,660.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 64.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.5% | 29.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Oswestry and Wem?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Oswestry or Wem?
Is Oswestry or Wem safer?
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