Banbury vs Bicester
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bicester is about 13% cheaper on average. Bicester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Banbury edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Banbury
£453,065
Bicester
£400,967
Crime Rate
Banbury
63.7
Bicester
63.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Banbury
100.0%
Bicester
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Banbury
415.1
Bicester
448
EPC Rating
Banbury
71.8
Bicester
71.8
Median Income
Banbury
£36,082
Bicester
£36,082
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Bicester more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £400,967 versus £453,065 in Banbury. The most affordable entry point in Banbury is a flat at £160,477, while in Bicester it is a flat at £198,084.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 19% pricier in Bicester (£198,084 vs £160,477).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Banbury prices grew faster — 47% vs 9%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Bicester (63.6 per 1,000) compared to Banbury (63.7 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Banbury is violent-crime, while in Bicester 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 EastSchool quality favours Banbury: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Bicester.
Banbury School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 18 schools (14 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bicester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Banbury | Bicester |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 18 | 13 |
| Primary | 14 | 10 |
| Secondary | 4 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bicester enjoy 448.0 Mbps on average, while Banbury lags behind at 415.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.4% of premises in Banbury and 97.6% in Bicester. Gigabit availability stands at 76.6% in Banbury and 87% in Bicester.
Bicester is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (448 vs 415 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Banbury is band C (score 71.8), ahead of Bicester's band C (score 71.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,188 in Banbury and £1,188 in Bicester. 70.2% of homes in Banbury have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 70.2% in Bicester.
Banbury has more energy-efficient housing — 70.2% reach band C or above, vs 70.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Banbury has a population of 52,041 while Bicester has 37,147. Median household income is £36,082 in Banbury and £36,082 in Bicester. The median age is 42.4 in Banbury and 42.4 in Bicester. Employment rates stand at 65.1% in Banbury and 65.1% in Bicester.
| Indicator | Banbury | Bicester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,041 | 37,147 |
| Median Age | 42.4 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £36,082 | £36,082 |
| Employment Rate | 65.1% | 65.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 65% | 65% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.1% | 35.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Banbury and Bicester?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Banbury or Bicester?
Is Banbury or Bicester safer?
Which has better schools, Banbury or Bicester?
Which has faster broadband, Banbury or Bicester?
Keep exploring