Shaftesbury vs Wincanton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Shaftesbury is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 8% lower. Wincanton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Shaftesbury edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Shaftesbury
£409,278
Wincanton
£444,538
Crime Rate
Shaftesbury
94.1
Wincanton
82.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Shaftesbury
100.0%
Wincanton
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Shaftesbury
387.6
Wincanton
435.8
EPC Rating
Shaftesbury
68.8
Wincanton
68.4
Median Income
Shaftesbury
£29,459
Wincanton
£28,807
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Wincanton commands an average of £444,538, compared with £409,278 in Shaftesbury – a difference of 8%. The most affordable entry point in Shaftesbury is a flat at £171,922, while in Wincanton it is a flat at £128,464.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 34% pricier in Shaftesbury (£171,922 vs £128,464).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Wincanton prices grew faster — 88% vs 51%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWincanton has a crime rate of 82.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 14% lower than Shaftesbury at 94.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Shaftesbury is violent-crime, while in Wincanton 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 Shaftesbury, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Wincanton. There are 3 schools in Shaftesbury and 3 in Wincanton.
Shaftesbury School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Wincanton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Shaftesbury | Wincanton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 3 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 435.8 Mbps in Wincanton and 387.6 Mbps in Shaftesbury. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.3% of premises in Shaftesbury and 94.4% in Wincanton. Gigabit availability stands at 74.4% in Shaftesbury and 85.6% in Wincanton.
Wincanton is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (436 vs 388 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Shaftesbury leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 68.8 (C), while Wincanton averages 68.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,336 in Shaftesbury and £1,363 in Wincanton. 58% of homes in Shaftesbury have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Wincanton.
Shaftesbury has more energy-efficient housing — 58% reach band C or above, vs 57.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,459 in Shaftesbury and £28,807 in Wincanton. The median age is 48.3 in Shaftesbury and 47.3 in Wincanton. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Shaftesbury versus 67.6% in Wincanton. Employment rates stand at 56.2% in Shaftesbury and 56.8% in Wincanton.
| Indicator | Shaftesbury | Wincanton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,163 | 6,744 |
| Median Age | 48.3 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £29,459 | £28,807 |
| Employment Rate | 56.2% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 67.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.9% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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