Bournemouth vs Poole: which place suits you better?
Compare Bournemouth and Poole on housing costs, schools, rail access and how their two coastal centres differ.
Bournemouth place profile · Poole place profile
Key differences between Bournemouth and Poole
- Typical sold price
- Bournemouth: £282k · Poole: £335k · £53k difference
- Gigabit broadband
- Bournemouth: 89% of premises · Poole: 77% of premises · 12 percentage point difference
Living in Bournemouth vs Poole: at a glance
Bournemouth is less expensive overall, with a typical sold price of £282k compared with £335k in Poole. Both places have strong school performance and a coastal setting. Bournemouth’s Lower, Central and Upper Gardens create a green route between the centre and the pier, while Poole’s high street runs towards Poole Quay; both have rail access, although no like-for-like journey times are shown.
Local character and setting
Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s Lower, Central and Upper Gardens run for around three kilometres, with the Lower Gardens linking the town centre directly to Bournemouth Pier.
Wider setting: Bournemouth sits on the coast.
Sources: Bournemouth Gardens - BCP Council · Natural EnglandPoole
Poole’s high street extends from the Dolphin Shopping Centre towards Poole Quay, giving the centre a clear connection to the waterfront.
Wider setting: Poole sits on the coast.
Sources: High Street - Poole Tourism · Natural EnglandWhich place may suit your priorities?
Bournemouth
- Lower typical house prices
- Gardens linking the town centre with the pier
Poole
- Town centre extending towards Poole Quay
House prices in Bournemouth and Poole
| Measure | Bournemouth | Poole |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sold price £53k difference | £282k · 7,237 sales | £335k · 4,699 sales |
| Detached homes | £440k · 2,063 sales | £440k · 1,509 sales |
| Semi-detached homes | £334k · 782 sales | £338k · 750 sales |
| Terraced homes £14k difference | £293k · 513 sales | £307k · 578 sales |
| Flats £33k difference | £205k · 3,879 sales | £238k · 1,862 sales |
Commuting from Bournemouth and Poole
| Measure | Bournemouth | Poole |
|---|---|---|
| National Rail access | Bournemouth, Pokesdown | Branksome, Hamworthy, Parkstone (Dorset), Poole |
Schools in Bournemouth and Poole
| Measure | Bournemouth | Poole |
|---|---|---|
| School quality | Strong school performance | Strong school performance |
| Primary schools 20 vs 13 in the local count | 20 rated schools included for this area | 13 rated schools included for this area |
| These counts cover rated schools linked to the local area used by Homestead. Nearby schools may also serve the area, and the figures do not represent catchments or admissions. | ||
| Secondary schools 8 vs 4 in the local count | 8 rated schools included for this area | 4 rated schools included for this area |
Everyday life and green space
| Measure | Bournemouth | Poole |
|---|---|---|
| Gigabit broadband 12 percentage point difference | 89% of premises | 77% of premises |
The trade-off between Bournemouth and Poole
Bournemouth is less expensive and has a distinctive green corridor between its centre and pier. Poole costs more, with a town centre that extends towards the quay. Both are coastal, both have strong school performance and both have rail access, so those shared features do not resolve the choice.