Town comparison
Penzance vs Porthleven
Which is better to live in? 10.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Porthleven is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 3% lower. Penzance has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Penzance edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Penzance
£378,736
Porthleven
£367,786
Crime Rate
Penzance
62.2
Porthleven
62.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Penzance
80.0%
Porthleven
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Penzance
370.8
Porthleven
295.6
EPC Rating
Penzance
66.2
Porthleven
66.2
Median Income
Penzance
£27,819
Porthleven
£27,819
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Penzance commands an average of £378,736, compared with £367,786 in Porthleven – a difference of 3%. The most affordable entry point in Penzance is a flat at £170,154, while in Porthleven it is a terraced at £276,150.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 22% pricier in Porthleven (£394,635 vs £309,733).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Penzance prices grew faster — 61% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestPenzance has a crime rate of 62.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Porthleven at 62.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Penzance is violent-crime, while in Porthleven 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 WestFamilies may prefer Penzance, where 80% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 0% in Porthleven. There are 7 schools in Penzance and 1 in Porthleven.
Penzance School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 7 schools (5 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Porthleven School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Penzance | Porthleven |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 1 |
| Primary | 5 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 370.8 Mbps in Penzance and 295.6 Mbps in Porthleven. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.2% of premises in Penzance and 86.1% in Porthleven. Gigabit availability stands at 70.8% in Penzance and 53% in Porthleven.
Penzance is the faster of the two by 25% on average download speed (371 vs 296 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Penzance leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.2 (C), while Porthleven averages 66.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,418 in Penzance and £1,418 in Porthleven. 51.5% of homes in Penzance have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Porthleven.
Penzance has more energy-efficient housing — 51.5% reach band C or above, vs 51.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,819 in Penzance and £27,819 in Porthleven. The median age is 47.6 in Penzance and 47.6 in Porthleven. Owner-occupancy is 66.2% in Penzance versus 66.2% in Porthleven. Employment rates stand at 53.3% in Penzance and 53.3% in Porthleven.
| Indicator | Penzance | Porthleven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,957 | 3,118 |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 47.6 |
| Median Household Income | £27,819 | £27,819 |
| Employment Rate | 53.3% | 53.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.2% | 66.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.6% | 30.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Penzance and Porthleven?
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