Basildon vs Canvey Island
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Canvey Island offers lower property prices by roughly 6%. Canvey Island has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Basildon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Basildon
£352,811
Canvey Island
£333,839
Crime Rate
Basildon
85.3
Canvey Island
51.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Basildon
91.3%
Canvey Island
77.8%
Avg Download Speed
Basildon
430.5
Canvey Island
295.5
EPC Rating
Basildon
71.5
Canvey Island
67.5
Median Income
Basildon
£33,820
Canvey Island
£34,910
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandBuyers will find Canvey Island more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £333,839 versus £352,811 in Basildon. The most affordable entry point in Basildon is a flat at £189,398, while in Canvey Island it is a flat at £199,882.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 50% pricier in Basildon (£541,660 vs £360,124).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Canvey Island prices grew faster — 36% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandCrime is lower in Canvey Island (51.7 per 1,000) compared to Basildon (85.3 per 1,000), a 65% difference. The most common crime category in Basildon is violent-crime, while in Canvey Island 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 EnglandSchool quality favours Basildon: 91.3% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 77.8% in Canvey Island.
Basildon School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 33 schools (28 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Canvey Island School Inspection Breakdown
77.8% of 12 schools (10 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Basildon | Canvey Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 12 |
| Primary | 28 | 10 |
| Secondary | 5 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 77.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Basildon enjoy 430.5 Mbps on average, while Canvey Island lags behind at 295.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.7% of premises in Basildon and 98.8% in Canvey Island. Gigabit availability stands at 84.1% in Basildon and 51.3% in Canvey Island.
Basildon is the faster of the two by 46% on average download speed (431 vs 296 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Basildon is band C (score 71.5), ahead of Canvey Island's band D (score 67.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,033 in Basildon and £1,213 in Canvey Island. 70% of homes in Basildon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 46.7% in Canvey Island.
Basildon has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 46.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Basildon has a population of 115,679 while Canvey Island has 38,004. Median household income is £34,910 in Canvey Island and £33,820 in Basildon. The median age is 41.4 in Basildon and 47.1 in Canvey Island. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Basildon and 55.1% in Canvey Island.
| Indicator | Basildon | Canvey Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,679 | 38,004 |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 47.1 |
| Median Household Income | £33,820 | £34,910 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 55.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.2% | 80.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.6% | 18.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Basildon and Canvey Island?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Basildon or Canvey Island?
Is Basildon or Canvey Island safer?
Which has better schools, Basildon or Canvey Island?
Which has faster broadband, Basildon or Canvey Island?
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