East Sussex: Property, Schools and Retirement Costs
Across the 44 East Sussex locations we cover, the average property price is £530,455 and Band D council tax averages £2,719. Ditchling is the most expensive at £800,000, Bexhill the least at £340,000.
The short answer
Across the 44 East Sussex locations we cover, the average property price is £530,455 and Band D council tax averages £2,719. Ditchling is the most expensive at £800,000, Bexhill the least at £340,000.
Buying a home in East Sussex
The county average is £530,455. Across these locations 14 schools hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating and 61 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 £53,045. Ditchling runs 51% above that average, so the same deposit reaches further in Bexhill.
Average property price across East Sussex
Later life and property wealth in East Sussex
Owners aged 55 and over across East Sussex sit on an average £530,455 of property value. Typical release at 65 is around £180,355, 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 East Sussex
Band D council tax averages £2,719 across these locations. That is £227 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ditchling | £800,000 | £2,702 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Alfriston | £750,000 | £2,712 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Hartfield | £750,000 | £2,681 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Frant | £725,000 | £2,736 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Forest Row | £700,000 | £2,887 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Bodiam | £650,000 | £2,673 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Ticehurst | £650,000 | £2,672 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Winchelsea | £650,000 | £2,692 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Mayfield | £625,000 | £2,705 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Barcombe | £600,000 | £2,648 | 4 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Burwash | £600,000 | £2,670 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Northiam | £600,000 | £2,704 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Plumpton | £600,000 | £2,723 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Wadhurst | £600,000 | £2,698 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Chailey | £580,000 | £2,647 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Rotherfield | £575,000 | £2,725 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Lewes | £550,000 | £2,966 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Maresfield | £550,000 | £2,640 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Newick | £550,000 | £2,653 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Whatlington | £550,000 | £2,640 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Buxted | £525,000 | £2,659 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Catsfield | £525,000 | £2,701 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Etchingham | £525,000 | £2,792 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Rye | £525,000 | £2,795 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Robertsbridge | £500,000 | £2,737 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Sedlescombe | £500,000 | £2,684 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Icklesham | £480,000 | £2,692 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Battle | £475,000 | £2,753 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Crowborough | £475,000 | £2,777 | 4 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Fairlight | £475,000 | £2,658 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Ninfield | £475,000 | £2,673 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Ringmer | £475,000 | £2,660 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Westfield | £450,000 | £2,732 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Willingdon | £450,000 | £2,669 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Herstmonceux | £430,000 | £2,677 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Heathfield | £400,000 | £2,682 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Peacehaven | £400,000 | £2,790 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Pevensey | £400,000 | £2,702 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Seaford | £400,000 | £2,721 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Uckfield | £400,000 | £2,818 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Polegate | £370,000 | £2,761 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Hailsham | £350,000 | £2,799 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Bexhill | £340,000 | £2,704 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Newhaven | £340,000 | £2,832 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
Compare towns directly
Side by side on price, deposit, schools and running costs.
Mayfield, Midlothian or Elgin: Which Is Better Value?Mayfield against Elgin.Ditchling or Great Bookham: Which Is Better Value?Ditchling against Great Bookham.Chobham or Alfriston: Which Is Better Value?Chobham against Alfriston.Alfriston or Ashtead: Which Is Better Value?Alfriston against Ashtead.Hartfield or Ashtead: Which Is Better Value?Hartfield against Ashtead.Fetcham or Frant: Which Is Better Value?Fetcham against Frant.
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Guides across East Sussex
- Alfriston: School Catchments and House Prices in Alfriston, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Alfriston, Downsizing in Alfriston: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Alfriston: What Band D Really Costs
- Barcombe: School Catchments and House Prices in Barcombe, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Barcombe, Downsizing in Barcombe: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Barcombe: What Band D Really Costs
- Battle: School Catchments and House Prices in Battle, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Battle, Downsizing in Battle: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Battle: What Band D Really Costs
- Bexhill: School Catchments and House Prices in Bexhill, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Bexhill, Downsizing in Bexhill: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Bexhill: What Band D Really Costs
- Bodiam: School Catchments and House Prices in Bodiam, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Bodiam, Downsizing in Bodiam: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Bodiam: What Band D Really Costs
- Burwash: School Catchments and House Prices in Burwash, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Burwash, Downsizing in Burwash: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Burwash: What Band D Really Costs
- Buxted: School Catchments and House Prices in Buxted, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Buxted?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Buxted, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Buxted, Downsizing in Buxted: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Buxted Home, Council Tax in Buxted: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Buxted Home
- Catsfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Catsfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Catsfield, Downsizing in Catsfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Catsfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Chailey: School Catchments and House Prices in Chailey, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Chailey, Downsizing in Chailey: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Chailey: What Band D Really Costs
- Crowborough: School Catchments and House Prices in Crowborough, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Crowborough, Downsizing in Crowborough: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Crowborough: What Band D Really Costs
- Ditchling: School Catchments and House Prices in Ditchling, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ditchling, Downsizing in Ditchling: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Ditchling: What Band D Really Costs
- Etchingham: School Catchments and House Prices in Etchingham, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Etchingham, Downsizing in Etchingham: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Etchingham: What Band D Really Costs
- Fairlight: School Catchments and House Prices in Fairlight, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Fairlight, Downsizing in Fairlight: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Fairlight: What Band D Really Costs
- Forest Row: School Catchments and House Prices in Forest Row, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Forest Row, Downsizing in Forest Row: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Forest Row: What Band D Really Costs
- Frant: School Catchments and House Prices in Frant, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Frant?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Frant, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Frant, Downsizing in Frant: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Frant Home, Council Tax in Frant: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Frant Home
- Hailsham: School Catchments and House Prices in Hailsham, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Hailsham, Downsizing in Hailsham: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Hailsham: What Band D Really Costs
- Hartfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Hartfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Hartfield, Downsizing in Hartfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Hartfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Heathfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Heathfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Heathfield, Downsizing in Heathfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Heathfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Herstmonceux: School Catchments and House Prices in Herstmonceux, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Herstmonceux, Downsizing in Herstmonceux: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Herstmonceux: What Band D Really Costs
- Icklesham: School Catchments and House Prices in Icklesham, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Icklesham, Downsizing in Icklesham: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Icklesham: What Band D Really Costs
- Lewes: School Catchments and House Prices in Lewes, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Lewes, Downsizing in Lewes: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Lewes: What Band D Really Costs
- Maresfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Maresfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Maresfield, Downsizing in Maresfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Maresfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Mayfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Mayfield, East Sussex, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Mayfield, East Sussex, Downsizing in Mayfield, East Sussex: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Mayfield, East Sussex: What Band D Really Costs
- Newhaven: School Catchments and House Prices in Newhaven, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Newhaven, Downsizing in Newhaven: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Newhaven: What Band D Really Costs
- Newick: School Catchments and House Prices in Newick, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Newick, Downsizing in Newick: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Newick: What Band D Really Costs
- Ninfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Ninfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ninfield, Downsizing in Ninfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Ninfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Northiam: School Catchments and House Prices in Northiam, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Northiam, Downsizing in Northiam: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Northiam: What Band D Really Costs
- Peacehaven: School Catchments and House Prices in Peacehaven, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Peacehaven, Downsizing in Peacehaven: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Peacehaven: What Band D Really Costs
- Pevensey: School Catchments and House Prices in Pevensey, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Pevensey, Downsizing in Pevensey: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Pevensey: What Band D Really Costs
- Plumpton: School Catchments and House Prices in Plumpton, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Plumpton, Downsizing in Plumpton: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Plumpton: What Band D Really Costs
- Polegate: School Catchments and House Prices in Polegate, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Polegate, Downsizing in Polegate: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Polegate: What Band D Really Costs
- Ringmer: School Catchments and House Prices in Ringmer, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ringmer, Downsizing in Ringmer: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Ringmer: What Band D Really Costs
- Robertsbridge: School Catchments and House Prices in Robertsbridge, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Robertsbridge, Downsizing in Robertsbridge: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Robertsbridge: What Band D Really Costs
- Rotherfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Rotherfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Rotherfield, Downsizing in Rotherfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Rotherfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Rye: School Catchments and House Prices in Rye, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Rye, Downsizing in Rye: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Rye: What Band D Really Costs
- Seaford: School Catchments and House Prices in Seaford, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Seaford, Downsizing in Seaford: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Seaford: What Band D Really Costs
- Sedlescombe: School Catchments and House Prices in Sedlescombe, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Sedlescombe, Downsizing in Sedlescombe: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Sedlescombe: What Band D Really Costs
- Ticehurst: School Catchments and House Prices in Ticehurst, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ticehurst, Downsizing in Ticehurst: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Ticehurst: What Band D Really Costs
- Uckfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Uckfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Uckfield, Downsizing in Uckfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Uckfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Wadhurst: School Catchments and House Prices in Wadhurst, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Wadhurst, Downsizing in Wadhurst: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Wadhurst: What Band D Really Costs
- Westfield: School Catchments and House Prices in Westfield, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Westfield, Downsizing in Westfield: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Westfield: What Band D Really Costs
- Whatlington: School Catchments and House Prices in Whatlington, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Whatlington, Downsizing in Whatlington: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Whatlington: What Band D Really Costs
- Willingdon: School Catchments and House Prices in Willingdon, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Willingdon, Downsizing in Willingdon: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Willingdon: What Band D Really Costs
- Winchelsea: School Catchments and House Prices in Winchelsea, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Winchelsea, Downsizing in Winchelsea: What You Would Actually Release
Check broadband before you make an offer in East Sussex
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in East Sussex, 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 East Sussex?
Of the locations covered here, Ditchling is highest at £800,000 and Bexhill lowest at £340,000.
How much is council tax in East Sussex?
Band D averages £2,719 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 East Sussex?
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 East Sussex?
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.
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