Town comparison
Anstey vs Desford
Which is better to live in? 5.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Anstey wins on house prices with a 12% gap. Desford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Anstey edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Anstey
£289,840
Desford
£330,177
Crime Rate
Anstey
68.0
Desford
53.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Anstey
100.0%
Desford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Anstey
368.6
Desford
292.2
EPC Rating
Anstey
71
Desford
71
Median Income
Anstey
£30,021
Desford
£31,173
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsProperty in Desford commands an average of £330,177, compared with £289,840 in Anstey – a difference of 12%. The most affordable entry point in Anstey is a flat at £123,222, while in Desford it is a flat at £109,125.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 13% pricier in Anstey (£123,222 vs £109,125).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Desford prices grew faster — 21% vs 17%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Desford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 53.2 per 1,000 versus 68 per 1,000 in Anstey. The most common crime category in Anstey is violent-crime, while in Desford it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East MidlandsFamilies may prefer Anstey, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Desford. There are 3 schools in Anstey and 2 in Desford.
Anstey School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Desford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Anstey | Desford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 368.6 Mbps in Anstey and 292.2 Mbps in Desford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.4% of premises in Anstey and 95.6% in Desford. Gigabit availability stands at 69.5% in Anstey and 48.5% in Desford.
Anstey is the faster of the two by 26% on average download speed (369 vs 292 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Anstey, scoring 71 on average (band C) compared to 71 (band C) in Desford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,183 in Anstey and £1,245 in Desford. 63.2% of homes in Anstey have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.5% in Desford.
Anstey has more energy-efficient housing — 63.2% reach band C or above, vs 61.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,172.7 in Desford and £30,021.4 in Anstey. The median age is 43.2 in Anstey and 45.2 in Desford. Employment rates stand at 58% in Anstey and 60.5% in Desford. Owner-occupancy is 68.2% in Anstey versus 76% in Desford. Anstey has a population of 7,043 and Desford has 3,817.
| Indicator | Anstey | Desford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,043 | 3,817 |
| Median Age | 43.2 | 45.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,021.4 | £31,172.7 |
| Employment Rate | 58% | 60.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.2% | 76% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.8% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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