Berkshire: Property, Schools and Retirement Costs
Across the 51 Berkshire locations we cover, the average property price is £595,392 and Band D council tax averages £2,358. Bray is the most expensive at £1,100,000, Thatcham the least at £380,000.
The short answer
Across the 51 Berkshire locations we cover, the average property price is £595,392 and Band D council tax averages £2,358. Bray is the most expensive at £1,100,000, Thatcham the least at £380,000.
Buying a home in Berkshire
The county average is £595,392. Across these locations 17 schools hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating and 76 schools are rated Good. School quality is the main reason prices differ between towns a few miles apart.
A 10% deposit on the county average is £59,539. Bray runs 85% above that average, so the same deposit reaches further in Thatcham.
Average property price across Berkshire
Later life and property wealth in Berkshire
Owners aged 55 and over across Berkshire sit on an average £595,392 of property value. Typical release at 65 is around £202,433, and interest compounds against the estate from day one.
Downsizing within the county is the alternative most people skip. It costs fees and stamp duty but carries no compounding interest. Both routes are compared in the town guides below.
Retirement costs across Berkshire
Band D council tax averages £2,358 across these locations. That is £197 a month before anything else. Authorities set their own rate, so the bill can change with a short move.
Housing is the fixed line in any retirement budget. Each town guide converts the local figure into the pot needed to cover it at a 4% withdrawal rate.
Towns at a glance
| Town | Average price | Band D | Good or better schools | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bray | £1,100,000 | £1,953 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Sonning | £1,000,000 | £2,472 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Cookham | £950,000 | £1,955 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Streatley | £850,000 | £2,492 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Bucklebury | £800,000 | £2,449 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Holyport | £750,000 | £1,953 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Wargrave | £750,000 | £2,527 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Winkfield | £750,000 | £2,258 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Datchet | £700,000 | £2,053 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Eton | £700,000 | £1,979 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| North Ascot | £700,000 | £2,258 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Old Windsor | £700,000 | £1,968 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Sunninghill | £700,000 | £1,955 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Barkham | £675,000 | £2,448 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Wokingham Without | £675,000 | £2,498 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Wraysbury | £675,000 | £1,976 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Pangbourne | £650,000 | £2,561 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Ruscombe | £625,000 | £2,467 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Swallowfield | £625,000 | £2,454 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Cold Ash | £600,000 | £2,454 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Ascot | £599,000 | £1,955 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Sunningdale | £599,000 | £1,962 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Compton | £580,000 | £2,541 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Finchampstead | £575,000 | £2,451 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Aldermaston | £550,000 | £2,436 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Charvil | £550,000 | £2,514 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Twyford | £549,000 | £2,365 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Crowthorne | £535,000 | £2,279 | 4 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Chieveley | £520,000 | £2,445 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Hermitage | £520,000 | £2,481 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Mortimer | £520,000 | £2,502 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Warfield | £520,000 | £2,234 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Wokingham | £513,000 | £2,497 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Arborfield | £500,000 | £2,506 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Binfield | £500,000 | £2,238 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Purley on Thames | £500,000 | £2,505 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Shinfield | £500,000 | £2,508 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Spencers Wood | £490,000 | £2,508 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Winnersh | £485,000 | £2,464 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Burghfield | £480,000 | £2,526 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Earley | £480,000 | £2,505 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Kintbury | £480,000 | £2,468 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Hungerford | £450,000 | £2,564 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Lambourn | £450,000 | £2,512 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Woodley | £450,000 | £2,534 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
Compare towns directly
Side by side on price, deposit, schools and running costs.
Cobham or Bray: Which Is Better Value?Cobham against Bray.Bray or Esher: Which Is Better Value?Bray against Esher.Esher or Sonning: Which Is Better Value?Esher against Sonning.Sonning or Cookham: Which Is Better Value?Sonning against Cookham.Stoke d'Abernon or Cookham: Which Is Better Value?Stoke d'Abernon against Cookham.Cookham or Claygate: Which Is Better Value?Cookham against Claygate.
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Guides across Berkshire
The 45 largest locations we cover in Berkshire by price, of 51 in total.
- Aldermaston: School Catchments and House Prices in Aldermaston, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Aldermaston?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Aldermaston, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Aldermaston, Downsizing in Aldermaston: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on an Aldermaston Home, Council Tax in Aldermaston: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on an Aldermaston Home
- Arborfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Arborfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Arborfield, Downsizing in Arborfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Arborfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Ascot: School Catchments and House Prices in Ascot, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Ascot?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ascot, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Ascot, Downsizing in Ascot: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on an Ascot Home, Council Tax in Ascot: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on an Ascot Home
- Barkham: School Catchments and House Prices in Barkham, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Barkham?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Barkham, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Barkham, Downsizing in Barkham: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Barkham Home, Council Tax in Barkham: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Barkham Home
- Binfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Binfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Binfield, Downsizing in Binfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Binfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Bray: School Catchments and House Prices in Bray, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Bray?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Bray, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Bray, Downsizing in Bray: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Bray Home, Council Tax in Bray: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Bray Home
- Bucklebury: School Catchments and House Prices in Bucklebury, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Bucklebury?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Bucklebury, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Bucklebury, Downsizing in Bucklebury: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Bucklebury Home, Council Tax in Bucklebury: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Bucklebury Home
- Burghfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Burghfield, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Burghfield?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Burghfield, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Burghfield, Downsizing in Burghfield: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Burghfield Home, Council Tax in Burghfield: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Burghfield Home
- Charvil: School Catchments and House Prices in Charvil, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Charvil, Downsizing in Charvil: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Charvil: What Band D Really Costs
- Chieveley: School Catchments and House Prices in Chieveley, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Chieveley?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Chieveley, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Chieveley, Downsizing in Chieveley: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Chieveley Home, Council Tax in Chieveley: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Chieveley Home
- Cold Ash: School Catchments and House Prices in Cold Ash, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Cold Ash?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Cold Ash, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Cold Ash, Downsizing in Cold Ash: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Cold Ash Home, Council Tax in Cold Ash: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Cold Ash Home
- Compton: School Catchments and House Prices in Compton, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Compton?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Compton, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Compton, Downsizing in Compton: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Compton Home, Council Tax in Compton: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Compton Home
- Cookham: School Catchments and House Prices in Cookham, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Cookham?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Cookham, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Cookham, Downsizing in Cookham: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Cookham Home, Council Tax in Cookham: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Cookham Home
- Crowthorne: School Catchments and House Prices in Crowthorne, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Crowthorne?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Crowthorne, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Crowthorne, Downsizing in Crowthorne: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Crowthorne Home, Council Tax in Crowthorne: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Crowthorne Home
- Datchet: School Catchments and House Prices in Datchet, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Datchet?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Datchet, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Datchet, Downsizing in Datchet: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Datchet Home, Council Tax in Datchet: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Datchet Home
- Earley: School Catchments and House Prices in Earley, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Earley, Downsizing in Earley: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Earley: What Band D Really Costs
- Eton: School Catchments and House Prices in Eton, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Eton, Downsizing in Eton: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Eton: What Band D Really Costs
- Finchampstead: School Catchments and House Prices in Finchampstead, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Finchampstead?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Finchampstead, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Finchampstead, Downsizing in Finchampstead: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Finchampstead Home, Council Tax in Finchampstead: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Finchampstead Home
- Hermitage: School Catchments and House Prices in Hermitage, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Hermitage, Downsizing in Hermitage: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Hermitage: What Band D Really Costs
- Holyport: School Catchments and House Prices in Holyport, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Holyport?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Holyport, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Holyport, Downsizing in Holyport: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Holyport Home, Stamp Duty on a Holyport Home
- Hungerford: School Catchments and House Prices in Hungerford, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Hungerford, Downsizing in Hungerford: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Hungerford: What Band D Really Costs
- Kintbury: School Catchments and House Prices in Kintbury, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Kintbury, Downsizing in Kintbury: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Kintbury: What Band D Really Costs
- Lambourn: School Catchments and House Prices in Lambourn, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Lambourn, Downsizing in Lambourn: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Lambourn: What Band D Really Costs
- Mortimer: School Catchments and House Prices in Mortimer, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Mortimer, Downsizing in Mortimer: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Mortimer: What Band D Really Costs
- North Ascot: School Catchments and House Prices in North Ascot, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in North Ascot, Downsizing in North Ascot: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in North Ascot: What Band D Really Costs
- Old Windsor: School Catchments and House Prices in Old Windsor, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Old Windsor, Downsizing in Old Windsor: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Old Windsor: What Band D Really Costs
- Pangbourne: School Catchments and House Prices in Pangbourne, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Pangbourne?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Pangbourne, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Pangbourne, Downsizing in Pangbourne: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Pangbourne Home, Council Tax in Pangbourne: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Pangbourne Home
- Purley on Thames: School Catchments and House Prices in Purley on Thames, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Purley on Thames, Downsizing in Purley on Thames: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Purley on Thames: What Band D Really Costs
- Ruscombe: School Catchments and House Prices in Ruscombe, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Ruscombe?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ruscombe, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Ruscombe, Downsizing in Ruscombe: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Ruscombe Home, Council Tax in Ruscombe: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Ruscombe Home
- Shinfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Shinfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Shinfield, Downsizing in Shinfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Shinfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Sonning: School Catchments and House Prices in Sonning, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Sonning?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Sonning, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Sonning, Downsizing in Sonning: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Sonning Home, Council Tax in Sonning: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Sonning Home
- Spencers Wood: School Catchments and House Prices in Spencers Wood, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Spencers Wood?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Spencers Wood, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Spencers Wood, Downsizing in Spencers Wood: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Spencers Wood Home, Stamp Duty on a Spencers Wood Home
- Streatley: School Catchments and House Prices in Streatley, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Streatley?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Streatley, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Streatley, Downsizing in Streatley: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Streatley Home, Council Tax in Streatley: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Streatley Home
- Sunningdale: School Catchments and House Prices in Sunningdale, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Sunningdale?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Sunningdale, Downsizing in Sunningdale: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Sunningdale: What Band D Really Costs
- Sunninghill: School Catchments and House Prices in Sunninghill, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Sunninghill, Downsizing in Sunninghill: What You Would Actually Release
- Swallowfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Swallowfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Swallowfield, Downsizing in Swallowfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Swallowfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Twyford: School Catchments and House Prices in Twyford, Berkshire, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Twyford, Berkshire?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Twyford, Berkshire, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Twyford, Berkshire, Downsizing in Twyford, Berkshire: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Twyford, Berkshire Home, Council Tax in Twyford, Berkshire: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Twyford, Berkshire Home
- Warfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Warfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Warfield, Downsizing in Warfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Warfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Wargrave: School Catchments and House Prices in Wargrave, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Wargrave, Downsizing in Wargrave: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Wargrave: What Band D Really Costs
- Winkfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Winkfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Winkfield, Downsizing in Winkfield: What You Would Actually Release
- Winnersh: School Catchments and House Prices in Winnersh, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Winnersh?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Winnersh, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Winnersh, Downsizing in Winnersh: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Winnersh Home, Council Tax in Winnersh: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Winnersh Home
- Wokingham: School Catchments and House Prices in Wokingham, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Wokingham?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Wokingham, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Wokingham, Downsizing in Wokingham: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Wokingham Home, Council Tax in Wokingham: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Wokingham Home
- Wokingham Without: School Catchments and House Prices in Wokingham Without, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Wokingham Without, Downsizing in Wokingham Without: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Wokingham Without: What Band D Really Costs
- Woodley: School Catchments and House Prices in Woodley, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Woodley, Downsizing in Woodley: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Woodley: What Band D Really Costs
- Wraysbury: School Catchments and House Prices in Wraysbury, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Wraysbury, Downsizing in Wraysbury: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Wraysbury: What Band D Really Costs
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Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Berkshire, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
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Questions people ask
Where are house prices highest in Berkshire?
Of the locations covered here, Bray is highest at £1,100,000 and Thatcham lowest at £380,000.
How much is council tax in Berkshire?
Band D averages £2,358 a year across these locations. Each authority sets its own rate, so check the specific council before you budget.
Does That's Family Finance cover the whole of Berkshire?
For mortgages, equity release and pensions we introduce you to a separately regulated partner firm.
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Berkshire?
Use Ofcom's free broadband and mobile checker at checker.ofcom.org.uk. Enter the property's postcode and choose the address to see which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available before you make an offer.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.