Arlesey vs Melbourn
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Melbourn is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 5% lower. Melbourn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Arlesey edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Arlesey
£476,109
Melbourn
£454,427
Crime Rate
Arlesey
48.6
Melbourn
46.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Arlesey
100.0%
Melbourn
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Arlesey
454.9
Melbourn
384.7
EPC Rating
Arlesey
73.9
Melbourn
73.6
Median Income
Arlesey
£35,716
Melbourn
£36,933
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £454,427, Melbourn undercuts Arlesey (£476,109) by around 5% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Arlesey is a flat at £194,333, while in Melbourn it is a flat at £252,200.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 23% pricier in Melbourn (£252,200 vs £194,333).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Arlesey prices grew faster — 81% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandMelbourn has a crime rate of 46.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 5% lower than Arlesey at 48.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Arlesey is violent-crime, while in Melbourn 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 of EnglandOf the 1 schools in Arlesey, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Melbourn, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Arlesey School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Melbourn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Arlesey | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Arlesey averages 454.9 Mbps – ahead of Melbourn's 384.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Arlesey and 94.5% in Melbourn. Gigabit availability stands at 89.6% in Arlesey and 72.7% in Melbourn.
Arlesey is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (455 vs 385 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Arlesey, scoring 73.9 on average (band C) compared to 73.6 (band C) in Melbourn. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,083 in Arlesey and £1,142 in Melbourn. 71.3% of homes in Arlesey have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.2% in Melbourn.
Melbourn has more energy-efficient housing — 72.2% reach band C or above, vs 71.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,933 in Melbourn and £35,716 in Arlesey. The median age is 42.5 in Arlesey and 43.8 in Melbourn. Employment rates stand at 63.8% in Arlesey and 62.8% in Melbourn. Owner-occupancy is 71.2% in Arlesey versus 68.9% in Melbourn. Arlesey has a population of 6,027 and Melbourn has 4,907.
| Indicator | Arlesey | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,027 | 4,907 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £35,716 | £36,933 |
| Employment Rate | 63.8% | 62.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.2% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.2% | 39.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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