Baldock vs Shortstown
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Shortstown wins on house prices with a 30% gap. Baldock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Baldock edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Baldock
£432,242
Shortstown
£332,709
Crime Rate
Baldock
38.1
Shortstown
78.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Baldock
100.0%
Shortstown
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Baldock
400.8
Shortstown
463.6
EPC Rating
Baldock
73.5
Shortstown
72.7
Median Income
Baldock
£37,174
Shortstown
£34,566
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Baldock commands an average of £432,242, compared with £332,709 in Shortstown – a difference of 30%. The most affordable entry point in Baldock is a flat at £224,558, while in Shortstown it is a flat at £192,462.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 91% pricier in Baldock (£781,404 vs £410,010).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Shortstown prices grew faster — 35% 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 78.1 per 1,000 in Shortstown. The most common crime category in Baldock is violent-crime, while in Shortstown 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 Shortstown. There are 5 schools in Baldock and 1 in Shortstown.
Baldock School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shortstown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Baldock | Shortstown |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 1 |
| Primary | 4 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 463.6 Mbps in Shortstown and 400.8 Mbps in Baldock. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.4% of premises in Baldock and 98.5% in Shortstown. Gigabit availability stands at 77.9% in Baldock and 90.6% in Shortstown.
Shortstown is the faster of the two by 16% on average download speed (464 vs 401 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Baldock, scoring 73.5 on average (band C) compared to 72.7 (band C) in Shortstown. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,110 in Baldock and £1,097 in Shortstown. 72.5% of homes in Baldock have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.9% in Shortstown.
Baldock has more energy-efficient housing — 72.5% reach band C or above, vs 69.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,174 in Baldock and £34,566 in Shortstown. The median age is 43.5 in Baldock and 42 in Shortstown. Employment rates stand at 63.1% in Baldock and 62.5% in Shortstown. Owner-occupancy is 68.3% in Baldock versus 67% in Shortstown. Baldock has a population of 10,613 and Shortstown has 4,837.
| Indicator | Baldock | Shortstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,613 | 4,837 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 42 |
| Median Household Income | £37,174 | £34,566 |
| Employment Rate | 63.1% | 62.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.3% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40.8% | 34% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Baldock and Shortstown?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Baldock or Shortstown?
Is Baldock or Shortstown safer?
Which has better schools, Baldock or Shortstown?
Which has faster broadband, Baldock or Shortstown?
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