Town Pop. 4,977

Living in Rye: Liveability Score 41/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Rye scores 41/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Lifestyle is where Rye most outperforms the national norm: 51/100 against a median of 21/100 across UK towns. Safety falls furthest short: 46/100 where the typical UK town reaches 88/100.

That makes it the 5th highest-scoring of the 9 places in the TN31 postcode district. On lifestyle specifically, Rye sits 16 points above the TN31 district figure of 35/100. That sits 9 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the middle half of the towns and villages we score. For the surrounding area, see TN31 postcode district.

41
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.

Rye scores 41 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Rye.
Or compare:
TN31 6AA TN31 7AA TN31 9EN TN31

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
46
160.1 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 300 crimes
↑ 81% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 143 crimes
↑ 89% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 101 crimes
↑ 199% above national average
Public order 67 crimes
↑ 108% above national average
Shoplifting 50 crimes
↑ 28% above national average
other 136 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Jarretts Close 64 crimes
  2. 2 Pelwood Road 49 crimes
  3. 3 Parking Area 39 crimes

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

Environment
69
Air Quality NO₂ 5.5 · PM2.5 6.4 · PM10 10.5 µg/m³
75
Green Space 56
Parks Some 1
Sports Pitches Ample 7
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts Adequate 4
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Some 2

Services

Schools
26
3 schools in area · 4 within 4km
3Good
  • Rye CollegeSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Rye Community Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St Michael's Church of England Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
36
A&E departmentsWilliam Harvey Hospital14.2 mi
WIlliam Harvey Hospital14.3 mi
Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury22.3 mi
Hospital waitsEast Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust0.7 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks66.3%
A&E seen within 4 hrs70.9%
2 GP surgeries in area best 'Good'
GP capacity2,128 patients per GP
3dentists2pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
71
Full fibre (FTTP)71%
available across Rother
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
90.6%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
90.6%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.9%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 139 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
36
Employment rate48.9%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed48.9%Unemployed3.3%Retired32.4%Student3.2%Other inactive12.2%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial34.9%Skilled & technical39.4%Routine & elementary25.7%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications21.7%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)11.4%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.4%Level 3 (A levels)15.6%Level 4+ (degree & above)27.6%Apprenticeship6.2%Other (incl. vocational)3.2%
Home ownership64.9%
Among the most-deprived 28% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
23
Council tax Rother · 2026-27
A £1,801
B £2,101
C £2,401
D £2,701
E £3,301
F £3,901
G £4,502
H £5,402
Energy South East England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Southern Water
Average bill regional £683/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
19
Rye 0.3 mi
Winchelsea 1.8 mi
Doleham 5.9 mi
J10A M20 15 mi
J10A M20 15 mi
J10 M20 15.1 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
51
Pubs & Bars Ample 19
Restaurants & Cafes Ample 42
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 3
Retail Shopping Ample 114
Takeaways Adequate 4
Fitness Ample 17

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £330,000 40
Semi-detached £407,500 10
Terraced £302,500 20
5-year monthly trend
All Semi Terraced Flat
£181k £286k £395k £501k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Playden 43 0.9 mi away ⇄
Winchelsea Beach 35 2.2 mi away ⇄
Iden 29 2.4 mi away ⇄
Peasmarsh (Rother) 42 2.6 mi away ⇄
Camber 32 2.8 mi away ⇄
Icklesham 36 3.9 mi away ⇄
Wittersham 37 4.7 mi away ⇄
Pett 37 5.0 mi away ⇄
Beckley (Rother) 44 5.0 mi away ⇄
Brookland 22 5.4 mi away ⇄
Broad Oak (Rother) 37 6.0 mi away ⇄
Fairlight 30 6.1 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Rye a nice place to live?

Rye has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Rye is 41/100, 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 Rye?

Rye has crime levels around the national average. Our safety score is 46/100. There were 797 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Rye?

Among the top-rated schools in Rye are Rye College, Rye Community Primary School and St Michael's Church of England Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 3 rated schools in Rye in total.

What are house prices like in Rye?

The current median house price in Rye is £330,000, around 16% above the England and Wales average. By property type: semi-detached £407,500, terraced £302,500. There were 40 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Rye in context

See where Rye ranks among the best places to live in East Sussex

Postcode districts in Rye

TN31 39 ⇄

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