Looe or Frome: Which Is Better Value?
Looe averages £360,000 against £355,000 in Frome, a gap of £5,000 or 1%. You would need £500 more deposit and about £26 a month more on a repayment mortgage at an assumed 5% over 25 years. Average Band D council tax is about £72 a year lower for Frome.
Looe averages £360,000 against £355,000 in Frome, a gap of £5,000 or 1%. You would need £500 more deposit and about £26 a month more on a repayment mortgage at an assumed 5% over 25 years. Average Band D council tax is about £72 a year lower for Frome.
Price and deposit
The headline gap is £5,000, or 1%. On a 10% deposit that is £500 more cash to find before you start. Detached homes average £600,000 against £395,000.
Looe against Frome
Town guides for each: Mortgage advice in Looe and Mortgage advice in Frome.
Schools and families
Both towns show 0 Outstanding rated schools, so the choice turns on Good rated capacity and catchment distance. Counting last graded Ofsted inspections (before September 2024), Looe has 1 school and Frome has 1 school graded Good or better.
A strong catchment in the cheaper town can cost more than an average street in the dearer one. Compare catchments, not averages.
Running costs and getting to work
Band D council tax is £2,633 in Looe and an average of £2,561 across Somerset (which covers Frome), a difference of about £72 a year. Actual bills vary by parish.
The honest verdict
Frome is cheaper to buy on these figures. Looe carries the higher price and, on this data, the stronger school profile.
Neither is right in the abstract. If the deposit is your constraint, the £500 difference matters more than anything else here. If catchment is the constraint, price follows the school you need.
What each town is actually like
Price is one axis. These are the things people move for, and the things they find out afterwards.
Looe
In its favour- A picturesque, characterful harbour town by the sea
- A working fishing fleet & genuine Cornish character
- A sandy beach, Looe Island & the coast path
- A scenic branch railway to Liskeard & the main line
- Serious tidal flood risk in the low-lying town
- A very high second-home/holiday-let share (100% premium especially material)
- Narrow streets & difficult parking in peak season
- Only a leisurely branch-line-and-change rail link; a long way to London
Best for Coast & sea lovers ★★★★★
A picturesque twin harbour town with a working fishing fleet, a sandy beach, the coast path, Looe Island offshore and the sea at the heart of everything, genuine Cornish coastal character, if you weigh the flood risk and choose your spot.
Frome
In its favour- A famous, vibrant independent and creative scene
- Its own station with London and Bath trains
- A beautifully preserved historic centre
- A strong, community-minded local culture
- An above-average market, prices above the county average
- No A&E in the town (nearest at Bath, ~13 miles)
- Localised River Frome flood risk on the low ground
- Period and listed homes can need the right lender/survey
Best for Creative & remote workers ★★★★★
A famous independent, arts and food scene with its own station for occasional office days.
Looe and Frome, side by side
| Measure | Looe | Frome |
|---|---|---|
| Average property price | £360,000 | £355,000 |
| Average detached | £600,000 | £395,000 |
| 10% deposit | £36,000 | £35,500 |
| Illustrative monthly payment | £1,894 | £1,868 |
| Band D council tax | £2,633 | £2,561 (Somerset average) |
| Outstanding rated schools | 0 | 0 |
| Good rated schools | 1 | 1 |
Local averages used for illustration. Confirm your own figures before acting.
Ask about Looe
Three details is all we need. You are told before anything is passed to a partner firm.
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Check broadband before you make an offer in Looe or Frome
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Looe or Frome, 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.
We can introduce you to a specialist who can combine your mobile, broadband and utilities into one bill. There's no fee for the introduction.
We don't provide these services ourselves. Switching household bills is not a regulated financial service, so FCA protections and the Financial Ombudsman do not apply. We'll only pass your details to the specialist if you ask us to. See our privacy notice.
Questions people ask
Is Looe or Frome cheaper?
Which has better schools?
Which is cheaper to run?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Looe or Frome?
Read next
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.