Pickering vs Scarborough
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Scarborough wins on house prices with a 52% gap. Scarborough has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Pickering edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Pickering
£321,568
Scarborough
£211,166
Crime Rate
Pickering
47.6
Scarborough
47.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Pickering
100.0%
Scarborough
69.2%
Avg Download Speed
Pickering
302.5
Scarborough
354.9
EPC Rating
Pickering
70.3
Scarborough
70.3
Median Income
Pickering
£29,895
Scarborough
£29,895
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Pickering commands an average of £321,568, compared with £211,166 in Scarborough – a difference of 52%. The most affordable entry point in Pickering is a flat at £201,050, while in Scarborough it is a flat at £128,378.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 60% pricier in Pickering (£248,596 vs £155,285).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Pickering prices grew faster — 34% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Scarborough experience less crime overall, with a rate of 47.4 per 1,000 versus 47.6 per 1,000 in Pickering. The most common crime category in Pickering is violent-crime, while in Scarborough 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 Yorkshire and the HumberFamilies may prefer Pickering, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 69.2% in Scarborough. There are 4 schools in Pickering and 18 in Scarborough.
Pickering School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Scarborough School Inspection Breakdown
69.2% of 18 schools (13 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Pickering | Scarborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 18 |
| Primary | 3 | 13 |
| Secondary | 1 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 69.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 354.9 Mbps in Scarborough and 302.5 Mbps in Pickering. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 75.9% of premises in Pickering and 97.3% in Scarborough. Gigabit availability stands at 53.9% in Pickering and 65.7% in Scarborough.
Scarborough is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (355 vs 303 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Pickering, scoring 70.3 on average (band C) compared to 70.3 (band C) in Scarborough. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,432 in Pickering and £1,432 in Scarborough. 59.5% of homes in Pickering have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.5% in Scarborough.
Pickering has more energy-efficient housing — 59.5% reach band C or above, vs 59.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,895 in Pickering and £29,895 in Scarborough. The median age is 48.1 in Pickering and 48.1 in Scarborough. Employment rates stand at 56.9% in Pickering and 56.9% in Scarborough. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Pickering versus 68.4% in Scarborough. Pickering has a population of 7,118 and Scarborough has 59,042.
| Indicator | Pickering | Scarborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,118 | 59,042 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,895 | £29,895 |
| Employment Rate | 56.9% | 56.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 68.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.2% | 34.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Pickering and Scarborough?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Pickering or Scarborough?
Is Pickering or Scarborough safer?
Which has better schools, Pickering or Scarborough?
Which has faster broadband, Pickering or Scarborough?
Keep exploring