Baldock vs Hitchin
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Baldock is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 20% lower. Baldock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Baldock edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Baldock
£432,242
Hitchin
£539,220
Crime Rate
Baldock
38.1
Hitchin
50.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Baldock
100.0%
Hitchin
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Baldock
400.8
Hitchin
386.2
EPC Rating
Baldock
73.5
Hitchin
73.1
Median Income
Baldock
£37,174
Hitchin
£35,426
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £432,242, Baldock undercuts Hitchin (£539,220) by around 20% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Baldock is a flat at £224,558, while in Hitchin it is a flat at £249,133.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 21% pricier in Hitchin (£584,921 vs £463,595).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hitchin prices grew faster — 29% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandBaldock has a crime rate of 38.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 31% lower than Hitchin at 50.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Baldock is violent-crime, while in Hitchin 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 5 schools in Baldock, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Hitchin, which has 15 schools, the figure is 100%.
Baldock School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hitchin School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 15 schools (12 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Baldock | Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 15 |
| Primary | 4 | 12 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Baldock averages 400.8 Mbps – ahead of Hitchin's 386.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.4% of premises in Baldock and 95.4% in Hitchin. Gigabit availability stands at 77.9% in Baldock and 73.3% in Hitchin.
Baldock is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (401 vs 386 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Baldock leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.5 (C), while Hitchin averages 73.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,110 in Baldock and £1,044 in Hitchin. 72.5% of homes in Baldock have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.8% in Hitchin.
Hitchin has more energy-efficient housing — 72.8% reach band C or above, vs 72.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,174 in Baldock and £35,426.3 in Hitchin. The median age is 43.5 in Baldock and 42.5 in Hitchin. Owner-occupancy is 68.3% in Baldock versus 64.3% in Hitchin. Employment rates stand at 63.1% in Baldock and 63.3% in Hitchin.
| Indicator | Baldock | Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,613 | 35,220 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £37,174 | £35,426.3 |
| Employment Rate | 63.1% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.3% | 64.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40.8% | 34.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Baldock and Hitchin?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Baldock or Hitchin?
Is Baldock or Hitchin safer?
Which has better schools, Baldock or Hitchin?
Which has faster broadband, Baldock or Hitchin?
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