Town Pop. 11,749

Living in Sandown: Liveability Score 46/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Sandown scores 46/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Measured against other towns, transport stands out most: 59/100 where the typical UK town scores 21/100. The biggest shortfall against other towns is safety: 40/100 versus a median of 88/100.

Among the 7 scored places sharing the PO36 postcode district, Sandown ranks 3rd. Below 30/100: bills (26), schools (27) and economic health (28). That puts Sandown in the middle half of the UK towns and villages we score. For the surrounding area, see PO36 postcode district.

46
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.

Sandown scores 46 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Sandown.
Or compare:
PO36 0AA PO36 6AU PO36 8AA PO36 9AA PO36 PO37

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
40
113.9 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 519 crimes
↑ 33% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 203 crimes
↑ 14% above national average
Shoplifting 152 crimes
↑ 65% above national average
Public order 107 crimes
↑ 40% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 95 crimes
↑ 19% above national average
other 262 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Millennium Way 91 crimes
  2. 2 Chesham Terrace 74 crimes
  3. 3 Supermarket 73 crimes

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

Environment
69
Air Quality NO₂ 5.4 · PM2.5 5.7 · PM10 9 µg/m³
77
Green Space 49
Parks Ample 8
Sports Pitches Ample 18
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Ample 7

Services

Schools
27
3 schools in area · 6 within 4km
3Good
  • Broadlea Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2021
    Good
  • Gatten and Lake Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • The Bay Church of England SchoolSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good

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

Healthcare
30
A&E departmentsGosport War Memorial Minor Injuries Unit8.8 mi
St Mary’s NHS Treatment Centre9.9 mi
Queen Alexandra Hospital13.2 mi
Hospital waitsHampshire And Isle Of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust0.2 mi
Routine referral (median)9 wks
Treated within 18 weeks70%
A&E seen within 4 hrs99.3%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,324 patients per GP
0dentists3pharmacies

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
73
Full fibre (FTTP)87.1%
available across Isle of Wight
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
93.6%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
93.6%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.6%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 328 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
28
Employment rate46.6%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed46.6%Unemployed2.9%Retired34.9%Student2.7%Other inactive12.9%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial26.8%Skilled & technical37%Routine & elementary36.1%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications23.1%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)12.7%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15%Level 3 (A levels)17.3%Level 4+ (degree & above)20.8%Apprenticeship7.9%Other (incl. vocational)3.2%
Home ownership67.1%
Among the most-deprived 31% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
26
Council tax Isle of Wight · 2026-27
A £1,751
B £2,042
C £2,334
D £2,626
E £3,210
F £3,793
G £4,377
H £5,252
Energy Southern 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
59
Sandown 0.3 mi
Lake 0.5 mi
Shanklin 1.5 mi
J2 M275 11.3 mi
J2 M275 11.8 mi
J1 M275 12 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
58
Pubs & Bars Ample 11
Restaurants & Cafes Ample 42
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 14
Retail Shopping Ample 104
Takeaways Ample 13
Fitness Ample 16

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £230,000 69
Detached £283,000 27
Semi-detached £245,000 11
Terraced £197,500 17
Flat / Maisonette £127,500 14
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£119k £198k £280k £359k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Alverstone Garden Village 49 1.4 mi away ⇄
Yaverland 40 1.5 mi away ⇄
Winford (Isle of Wight) 46 1.6 mi away ⇄
Shanklin 48 1.6 mi away ⇄
Brading 42 1.9 mi away ⇄
Newchurch (Isle of Wight) 45 2.1 mi away ⇄
Hale Common 0 2.6 mi away ⇄
Arreton 39 3.3 mi away ⇄
Hillway 42 3.4 mi away ⇄
Wroxall 42 3.6 mi away ⇄
St Helens (Isle of Wight) 54 3.8 mi away ⇄
Merstone 36 4.0 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Sandown a nice place to live?

Sandown has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Sandown is 46/100, 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 Sandown?

Sandown has above-average crime levels. Our safety score is 40/100. There were 1,338 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Sandown?

Among the top-rated schools in Sandown are Broadlea Primary School, Gatten and Lake Primary School and The Bay Church of England School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 3 rated schools in Sandown in total.

What are house prices like in Sandown?

The current median house price in Sandown is £230,000, around 19% below the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £283,000, semi-detached £245,000, terraced £197,500, flat £127,500. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 5%. There were 69 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Sandown in context

See where Sandown ranks among the best places to live in Isle of Wight

Postcode districts in Sandown

PO36 44 ⇄
PO37 45 ⇄

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