Town Pop. 1,648

Living in Rhayader: Liveability Score 35/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Rhayader scores 35/100 overall, across 7 scored categories. Measured against other towns, bills stands out most: 62/100 where the typical UK town scores 47/100. The biggest shortfall against other towns is broadband: 13/100 versus a median of 60/100.

That sits 15 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom quarter of the towns and villages we score. Below 30/100: transport (4), lifestyle (12) and healthcare (20). For the surrounding area, see LD6 postcode district.

35
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Rhayader scores 35 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Rhayader.
Or compare:
LD6 5AB LD6

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
52
180.8 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 135 crimes
↑ 146% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 43 crimes
↑ 72% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 33 crimes
↑ 194% above national average
Public order 30 crimes
↑ 180% above national average
Other theft 17 crimes
↑ 66% above national average
other 40 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Parking Area 37 crimes
  2. 2 Heol-Y-Brenin 34 crimes
  3. 3 Petrol Station 33 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
67
Air Quality NO₂ 2.1 · PM2.5 4.2 · PM10 6.4 µg/m³
85
Green Space 24
Parks Adequate 2
Sports Pitches Adequate 3
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Some 2

Services

Schools
—

School inspection data is not available for this area.

Healthcare
20
A&E departmentsHereford County Hospital37.6 mi
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital40.8 mi
Princess Royal Hospital50.2 mi
Hospital waitsWye Valley NHS Trust6.8 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks65.2%
A&E seen within 4 hrs63.4%
1 GP surgery in area
GP capacity1,663 patients per GP

A&E, dentist and pharmacy data, and CQC ratings, are currently available for England only, not Wales.

Broadband
13
Full fibre (FTTP)58.5%
available across Powys
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
33.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
33.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
96.5%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 61 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
—
Employment rate53.3%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed53.3%Unemployed1.6%Retired31.7%Student3%Other inactive10.4%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial29.5%Skilled & technical42.6%Routine & elementary27.9%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications20.2%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.6%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)16.5%Level 3 (A levels)16.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)28.6%Apprenticeship6.9%Other (incl. vocational)2.3%
Home ownership68.3%
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain)
Bills
62
Council tax Powys · 2025-26
A £1,489
B £1,738
C £1,986
D £2,234
E £2,730
F £3,227
G £3,723
H £4,468
Energy South Wales region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Average bill regional £502/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
4
Llandrindod 6.9 mi
Pen-y-bont 8.2 mi
Builth Road 9.8 mi
No motorway junctions within 30 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
12
Pubs & Bars Ample 9
Restaurants & Cafes Some 3
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 3
Retail Shopping Adequate 11
Takeaways None
Fitness Some 1

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £175,000 11
5-year monthly trend
All
£183k £197k £212k £227k 2022 2023 2024 2025

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Llanyre 44 5.6 mi away ⇄
Newbridge-on-Wye 41 6.8 mi away ⇄
Llandrindod Wells 46 6.9 mi away ⇄
Crossgates (Powys) 43 7.5 mi away ⇄
Llanidloes 55 10 mi away ⇄
Llanelwedd 40 11 mi away ⇄
Builth Wells 52 11 mi away ⇄
Llandinam 55 13 mi away ⇄
Llanwrtyd Wells 51 15 mi away ⇄
Pontrhydfendigaid 54 15 mi away ⇄
Caersws 49 15 mi away ⇄
Newtown (Powys) 48 17 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Rhayader a nice place to live?

Rhayader has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Rhayader is 35/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Rhayader?

Rhayader has crime levels around the national average. Our safety score is 52/100. There were 298 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are house prices like in Rhayader?

The current median house price in Rhayader is £175,000, around 39% below the England and Wales average. Over the past five years, prices have fallen by around 15%.

Postcode districts in Rhayader

LD6 36 ⇄

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