Baldock vs Shefford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Shefford wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Baldock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Baldock edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Baldock
£432,242
Shefford
£396,529
Crime Rate
Baldock
38.1
Shefford
49.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Baldock
100.0%
Shefford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Baldock
400.8
Shefford
452.5
EPC Rating
Baldock
73.5
Shefford
73.9
Median Income
Baldock
£37,174
Shefford
£35,716
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Baldock commands an average of £432,242, compared with £396,529 in Shefford – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Baldock is a flat at £224,558, while in Shefford it is a flat at £198,879.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 43% pricier in Baldock (£781,404 vs £547,609).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Shefford prices grew faster — 30% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Baldock experience less crime overall, with a rate of 38.1 per 1,000 versus 49.1 per 1,000 in Shefford. The most common crime category in Baldock is violent-crime, while in Shefford 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 EnglandFamilies may prefer Baldock, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Shefford. There are 5 schools in Baldock and 3 in Shefford.
Baldock School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shefford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Baldock | Shefford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 3 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 452.5 Mbps in Shefford and 400.8 Mbps in Baldock. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.4% of premises in Baldock and 96% in Shefford. Gigabit availability stands at 77.9% in Baldock and 87.8% in Shefford.
Shefford is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (453 vs 401 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Shefford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.9 (C), while Baldock averages 73.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,110 in Baldock and £1,083 in Shefford. 72.5% of homes in Baldock have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.3% in Shefford.
Baldock has more energy-efficient housing — 72.5% reach band C or above, vs 71.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,174 in Baldock and £35,716 in Shefford. The median age is 43.5 in Baldock and 42.5 in Shefford. Owner-occupancy is 68.3% in Baldock versus 71.2% in Shefford. Employment rates stand at 63.1% in Baldock and 63.8% in Shefford.
| Indicator | Baldock | Shefford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,613 | 7,317 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £37,174 | £35,716 |
| Employment Rate | 63.1% | 63.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.3% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40.8% | 33.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Baldock and Shefford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Baldock or Shefford?
Is Baldock or Shefford safer?
Which has better schools, Baldock or Shefford?
Which has faster broadband, Baldock or Shefford?
Keep exploring