Basildon vs Chatham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Chatham is about 10% cheaper on average. Chatham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Basildon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Basildon
£352,811
Chatham
£321,268
Crime Rate
Basildon
85.3
Chatham
0.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Basildon
91.3%
Chatham
91.3%
Avg Download Speed
Basildon
430.5
Chatham
468.9
EPC Rating
Basildon
71.5
Chatham
72
Median Income
Basildon
£33,820
Chatham
£32,388
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandBuyers will find Chatham more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £321,268 versus £352,811 in Basildon. The most affordable entry point in Basildon is a flat at £189,398, while in Chatham it is a flat at £177,530.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 17% pricier in Basildon (£319,635 vs £272,719).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chatham prices grew faster — 44% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 0.3 offences per 1,000 people, Chatham is the safer of the two – 28333% lower than Basildon's 85.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Basildon is violent-crime, while in Chatham 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 91.3% in Chatham.
Basildon School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 33 schools (28 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chatham School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Basildon | Chatham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 27 |
| Primary | 28 | 20 |
| Secondary | 5 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 91.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Chatham enjoy 468.9 Mbps on average, while Basildon lags behind at 430.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.7% of premises in Basildon and 98.8% in Chatham. Gigabit availability stands at 84.1% in Basildon and 91.6% in Chatham.
Chatham is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (469 vs 431 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Chatham is band C (score 72), ahead of Basildon's band C (score 71.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,033 in Basildon and £1,073 in Chatham. 70% of homes in Basildon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.3% in Chatham.
Basildon has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 67.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Basildon has a population of 115,679 while Chatham has 76,956. Median household income is £33,820 in Basildon and £32,388 in Chatham. The median age is 41.4 in Basildon and 42.4 in Chatham. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Basildon and 60.5% in Chatham.
| Indicator | Basildon | Chatham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,679 | 76,956 |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £33,820 | £32,388 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 60.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.2% | 67.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.6% | 29.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Basildon and Chatham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Basildon or Chatham?
Is Basildon or Chatham safer?
Which has better schools, Basildon or Chatham?
Which has faster broadband, Basildon or Chatham?
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