What Is Living In Taunton Like? A Guide To Taunton
Last Updated September 2025
Welcome to your comprehensive guide to living in Taunton! If you’re considering moving to this historic Somerset town, recently relocated here or looking to upgrade your home security as a Taunton resident we have it covered.
Taunton is a quaint English town set in the heart of Somerset, known for its rich history and rural charm. You are spoilt for choice if you enjoy the outdoors as Taunton is surrounded by stunning countryside such as the Quantock Hills AONB and Blackdown Hills.
In addition to the rolling Somerset hills, there is a delightful balance of market town character and modern conveniences with a strong community feel. The town celebrates Somerset County Cricket Club and hosts annual events like Taunton Flower Show and Somerset Arts Week.
How Many People Live in Taunton?
There are 157,400 people living in Somerset West and Taunton. This population size has increased by 8.7% since the last census in 2011 which is higher than the average overall increase for England which is 6.6% according to the ONS. However, Somerset West and Taunton is still the 8th least densely populated of the South West’s 30 local areas.
The area is popular with retirees looking for a more relaxed pace of living with an older than average age compared to the rest of England but there is a growing appeal for families who look for perhaps a more outdoorsy life for their children.
If you are moving to Taunton, give our locksmiths a call to change your locks for you. Homeowners are twice as likely to be burgled within the first year of moving and 6% of those burglars have a key.
Charming and Historic: Is it Nice to Live in Taunton?
Yes, I’d personally consider Taunton a lovely place to live. I love the timeless charm of the town, the Georgian buildings and the manicured parks such as Vivary Park. It has a decent town centre with plenty of shops for whatever you need, although some shop fronts are empty – much like many high streets across the UK.
Pros:
- Surrounded by beautiful countryside
- Lots of outdoor activities to partake
- Good schools and family-friendly neighbourhoods
- Excellent transport links
- Vibrant weekly market
- Lower cost of living and larger properties compared to larger cities
Cons:
- Limited nightlife and shopping
- Some areas still developing infrastructure to support the towns growth
- Fewer job opportunities locally
Taunton Weather
Taunton, like the rest of Somerset has a very temperate climate which makes the county wetter and milder in comparison to other counties in the UK.
Did you know Somerset used to be underwater? Thousands of years ago Somerset was artificially drained, irrigated and modified for farming purposes – this makes up the Somerset Levels, one of the flattest and lowest areas in the UK.
The wet climate and mostly flat landscape of Somerset means the area is prone to flooding which poses risk for homeowners:
Wooden Doors
- Prone to excessive moisture absorption causing swelling and warping.
- Peeling paint.
- Mould and mildew growth.
- ‘Sticking’ door, making It harder to open and close
Door Locks
- Excessive moisture promotes rust and corrosion in the mechanisms.
- Cold weather will trap in that moisture and freeze the locks.
- Hot weather makes doors and mechanisms expand which causes jamming and misalignment.
To help protect your locks we recommend using a lock lubricant every 3-6 months to keep your locks in optimal condition. If you are having troubles with your lock, your door is misaligned or your windows give us a call, we can help!
Is Taunton a Safe Place to Live?
Taunton is reported to be the second most dangerous town in Somerset with a national crime rate that is 33% higher than the average for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Taunton has regularly been noted as the most dangerous town for burglary and theft from a person.
If you need to update your home security, we can help. Our locksmiths have all successfully completed locksmith courses and are a wealth of knowledge on home security. We recommend ensuring your locks are British Standard and if upgrading your home security, ask our locksmiths for anti-snap locks. On every call out, our locksmiths will also complete a free home security check to make you aware of any weaknesses in your current home security.
To make sure you have the best home security measures in place, read our guide that outlines the best precautions you can take to protect your home.
Security Measures for Taunton Residents
- British standard approved locks (insurance required) or upgrade to anti-snap locks.
- Window locks across the ground floor.
- Security lighting, especially for more rural properties.
- Outdoor security cameras or smart doorbells.
If you require a locksmith we can gladly help, make sure your home is safe and secure. All engineers are fully trained and experienced ensuring you receive quality care and service.
What Neighbourhoods in Taunton are the Best?
- Trull – a leafy, upmarket village with good schools and a community feel.
- Bishop’s Hull – suburban and family-friendly, close to schools and lots of open space.
- Staplegrove – mix of period and new-build homes and a quiet area.
- Comeytrowe – rapidly developing area with new homes and amenities.
- Galmington – an established neighbourhood with local shops and good schools.
Areas to Avoid Living in Taunton
- Wilton – statistics show that this neighbourhood has the highest crime rate across Taunton.
- Priorswood – this area is more deprived and neglected.
- Roman Road – deprived, neglected and high crime rate, well known to the locals as a less desirable area.
What is the Average House Price in Taunton?
The average house cost over the past year for Taunton is around £291,929, according to Rightmove. The following shows the average property cost in Taunton:
Detached Houses
The average market value for a detached house in Taunton is currently £428,941.
Semi-Detached Houses
The average market value for a semi-detached house in Taunton is currently £287,604.
Terraced Houses
The average market value for a terraced house in Taunton is currently £244,237.
What is the Average Rent in Taunton?
The average rent is currently £953 in Taunton, which is an increase of 3.4% annually but still lower than the rise of the Southwest of 4.5% on average.
Travelling Around Taunton
- Bus – serviced by First Bus
- Train – you can reach London in just over 90mins, Bristol in 30mins, Bath in 50mins and Exeter in 23m.
- Plane – Exeter airport is the closest but for more destinations Bristol airport is a better option.
Top 10 Things to do in Taunton
- Vivary Park
- The Museum of Somerset
- Coates English Willow Visitor Centre
- The Cooper Associates County Ground
- Stoke Wood Alpacas
- Hestercombe Gardens
- Bishops Lydeard Mill
- Woodlands Castle
- St Mary Magdalene Church
- Sheppy’s Cider Ltd
Personal Observations of Taunton
Whilst here, we made the most of the good weather and explored the great outdoors and took a picnic to Quantock Hills which was simply breathtaking. The views of the rolling hills plus the free roaming ponies were an incredible sight.
Back in the town Hestercombe House and Gardens were well worth the visit; they had activity trails on for the kids which kept them entertained whilst the adults enjoyed the stroll and sights!
As for living in Taunton, I felt quite safe around the neighbourhoods when visiting, even the less desirable ones. However, the less desirable are visibly run down with signs of anti-social behaviour such as spray-painted walls, boarded up buildings and litter dumped in green spaces.
The locals I chatted too were friendly and welcoming but there isn’t a lot to do if you don’t want to be outside all the time, especially in the depths of winter. Looking at properties I noticed that many were lacking additional security so as someone who works in the security industry it is something that I would be implementing as soon as possible upon moving into Taunton.
Moving to Taunton? Essential Security Checklist
- Replace all exterior door locks the day you move in
You never know who has a key and homeowners are more likely to be burgled in the first year of moving.
- Test all existing locks and security systems
If there are any leftover security systems, the previous owners may have disabled them.
- Secure all ground floor windows
Ensure all the window locks work and you have keys for them; you can add window sash jammers too for additional security.
- Save our number
If you need a locksmith in an emergency (I did when I moved home and immediately locked myself out – ironic I know) it’ll save you the extra stress and worry having us on hand! – 01823 218516
- Hide all valuables
You may not have curtains up in your new home just yet and leave your home open for anyone to peer in. Ensure your valuables are hidden well away from windows and doors.
Jessica Davies
Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.
Yes, Taunton is a charming and historic town Surrounded by beautiful countryside. There are good schools, weekly markets and a lower cost of living compared to larger cities.
Wilton, Priorswood and Romans Road area are all considered less desirable areas to live in Taunton.
157,400 people live in Taunton according to the 2021 census report.
Taunton has been recorded as the second most dangerous town to live in Somerset.