Aylesbury vs Leighton Buzzard
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Aylesbury wins on house prices with a 3% gap. Leighton Buzzard has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Leighton Buzzard edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Aylesbury
£388,153
Leighton Buzzard
£401,597
Crime Rate
Aylesbury
59.2
Leighton Buzzard
48.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Aylesbury
85.0%
Leighton Buzzard
86.7%
Avg Download Speed
Aylesbury
454.1
Leighton Buzzard
343.6
EPC Rating
Aylesbury
70.5
Leighton Buzzard
72.2
Median Income
Aylesbury
£35,471
Leighton Buzzard
£35,594
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £388,153, Aylesbury undercuts Leighton Buzzard (£401,597) by around 3% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Aylesbury is a flat at £196,467, while in Leighton Buzzard it is a flat at £187,233.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 10% pricier in Aylesbury (£624,471 vs £569,867).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Leighton Buzzard prices grew faster — 31% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Leighton Buzzard experience less crime overall, with a rate of 48.7 per 1,000 versus 59.2 per 1,000 in Aylesbury. The most common crime category in Aylesbury is violent-crime, while in Leighton Buzzard 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 South EastOf the 26 schools in Aylesbury, 85% are in the top two inspection bands. In Leighton Buzzard, which has 16 schools, the figure is 86.7%.
Aylesbury School Inspection Breakdown
85% of 26 schools (19 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Leighton Buzzard School Inspection Breakdown
86.7% of 16 schools (11 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Aylesbury | Leighton Buzzard |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 26 | 16 |
| Primary | 19 | 11 |
| Secondary | 7 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 85% | 86.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Aylesbury averages 454.1 Mbps – ahead of Leighton Buzzard's 343.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Aylesbury and 92.6% in Leighton Buzzard. Gigabit availability stands at 87.2% in Aylesbury and 63.2% in Leighton Buzzard.
Aylesbury is the faster of the two by 32% on average download speed (454 vs 344 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Leighton Buzzard leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Aylesbury averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,241 in Aylesbury and £1,162 in Leighton Buzzard. 65.8% of homes in Aylesbury have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.6% in Leighton Buzzard.
Leighton Buzzard has more energy-efficient housing — 68.6% reach band C or above, vs 65.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,593.5 in Leighton Buzzard and £35,471 in Aylesbury. The median age is 43.4 in Aylesbury and 43 in Leighton Buzzard. Owner-occupancy is 70% in Aylesbury versus 70.6% in Leighton Buzzard. Employment rates stand at 61.6% in Aylesbury and 62.7% in Leighton Buzzard.
| Indicator | Aylesbury | Leighton Buzzard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 87,410 | 42,736 |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 43 |
| Median Household Income | £35,471 | £35,593.5 |
| Employment Rate | 61.6% | 62.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 70.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 41% | 37.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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