Moving to Rochester (ME2)

Kent · Medway

Planning a move to ME2? Discover council tax rates, Ofsted-rated schools, broadband speeds, green spaces and more for the Rochester area.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, growing family, or relocating for work, this comprehensive area guide covers everything you need to know before moving to Rochester. From local council tax rates and school ratings to broadband speeds and nearby green spaces, we've compiled the essential data to help you make an informed decision about your new home.

House Prices in Rochester

Based on 744 property sales recorded by HM Land Registry in ME2 during 2025–2026. Median prices give a more accurate picture than averages, as they aren't skewed by unusually high or low sales.

Median Price (all types)£305,000
Average Price (all types)£347,100

By Property Type

Detached£525,000 (103 sales)
Semi-Detached£347,000 (239 sales)
Terraced£275,000 (299 sales)
Flat / Maisonette£171,000 (73 sales)

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (Jan 2025 – present). Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2025-2026. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Safety & Crime in Rochester

As with many well-connected urban areas, Rochester sees higher-than-average recorded crime. This is common in districts with busy high streets, nightlife, and transport hubs — and doesn't necessarily reflect the experience of residents in quieter residential streets.

ME2 Total Crimes (13 months)4,184
National Average per District2,628
vs National Average59% above average

Breakdown by Category

Violence & Sexual Offences1,579 (70% above avg)
Anti-social Behaviour758 (79% above avg)
Public Order171 (6% below avg)
Vehicle Crime188 (41% above avg)
Shoplifting391 (79% above avg)
Criminal Damage & Arson321 (68% above avg)
Burglary84 (13% below avg)
Other Theft256 (47% above avg)
Drugs189 (103% above avg)
Robbery46 (28% above avg)
Theft from Person12 (76% below avg)
Bicycle Theft19 (17% below avg)
Possession of Weapons42 (62% above avg)

Source: data.police.uk street-level crime data (Apr 2025 – Apr 2026). National average calculated across 2,313 UK postcode districts. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Council Tax in Rochester

Council tax is one of the most important ongoing costs to consider when moving to a new area. In Rochester, council tax is managed by Medway. The table below shows estimated annual rates for all bands, extrapolated from the published Band D figure using the standard ratios set by central government.

BandProperty Value (1991)Annual Rate
A£0 – £40,000£1552.37
B£40,001 – £52,000£1811.09
C£52,001 – £68,000£2069.82
D£68,001 – £88,000£2328.55
E£88,001 – £120,000£2846.01
F£120,001 – £160,000£3363.46
G£160,001 – £320,000£3880.92
H£320,001+£4657.10

Figures are estimated from the published Band D rate. Actual charges may vary slightly. Property values are based on 1991 valuations used by the Valuation Office Agency.

View official council tax bands for Medway →

Essential Services Near Rochester

76.5 / 100 — This convenience score reflects how well-served the ME2 area is for everyday needs. It's calculated from the density of GP surgeries, pharmacies, and supermarkets relative to the local population — giving you a realistic picture of how easy daily errands will be.

Total essential services (GPs + pharmacies + supermarkets)27

Green Spaces in Rochester

Access to parks and green spaces is increasingly important for wellbeing, exercise, and family life. Our green space accessibility score measures the percentage of residential postcodes in ME2 that are within a 5-minute walk of a public park, playing field, or nature reserve.

93% of residential postcodes in ME2 have green space within walking distance, making this an exceptionally green area to live in.

Schools in Rochester

For families with children, the quality of local schools is often the deciding factor when choosing where to move. Below is a breakdown of state-funded schools in the ME2 postcode district that have received an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted — the highest possible grade for teaching quality, leadership, and pupil outcomes.

Outstanding schools (total)1
Primary0
Secondary0
Nursery0

Broadband in Rochester

Reliable internet is essential for working from home, streaming, and staying connected. The broadband quality score for ME2 considers the proportion of properties with access to superfast, ultrafast, and gigabit-capable connections, as well as those still below the Universal Service Obligation (USO) threshold of 10Mbps.

44.1 / 100 — Overall broadband quality score for the ME2 district.

Superfast broadband (≥30Mbps)95.7%
Ultrafast broadband (≥100Mbps)83.0%
Gigabit capable78.9%
Below USO (≤10Mbps)0.2%

Moving to ME2? Compare broadband deals for your new address →

Energy Performance in Rochester

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The median EPC band for ME2 gives you a sense of how well-insulated and energy-efficient homes in the area tend to be — which directly impacts your heating bills and carbon footprint.

Median EPC bandC
Median EPC score69
Total rated properties8670

Homes in ME2 average EPC Band C. Compare energy deals for your new home →

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Nearby Areas in ME Postcode Area