Basildon vs Rochford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Basildon wins on house prices with a 11% gap. Rochford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Basildon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Basildon
£352,811
Rochford
£397,168
Crime Rate
Basildon
85.3
Rochford
43.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Basildon
91.3%
Rochford
83.3%
Avg Download Speed
Basildon
430.5
Rochford
433
EPC Rating
Basildon
71.5
Rochford
69.3
Median Income
Basildon
£33,820
Rochford
£37,256
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Rochford commands an average of £397,168, compared with £352,811 in Basildon – a difference of 11%. The most affordable entry point in Basildon is a flat at £189,398, while in Rochford it is a flat at £165,846.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 14% pricier in Basildon (£189,398 vs £165,846).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Rochford prices grew faster — 40% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Rochford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 43.5 per 1,000 versus 85.3 per 1,000 in Basildon. The most common crime category in Basildon is violent-crime, while in Rochford 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 Basildon, where 91.3% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 83.3% in Rochford. There are 33 schools in Basildon and 6 in Rochford.
Basildon School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 33 schools (28 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Rochford School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Basildon | Rochford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 6 |
| Primary | 28 | 5 |
| Secondary | 5 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 83.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 433.0 Mbps in Rochford and 430.5 Mbps in Basildon. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.7% of premises in Basildon and 96% in Rochford. Gigabit availability stands at 84.1% in Basildon and 84.3% in Rochford.
Rochford is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (433 vs 431 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Basildon leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.5 (C), while Rochford averages 69.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,033 in Basildon and £1,188 in Rochford. 70% of homes in Basildon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56.5% in Rochford.
Basildon has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 56.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,256 in Rochford and £33,820 in Basildon. The median age is 41.4 in Basildon and 46.6 in Rochford. Owner-occupancy is 63.2% in Basildon versus 80.6% in Rochford. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Basildon and 57.5% in Rochford.
| Indicator | Basildon | Rochford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,679 | 12,617 |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 46.6 |
| Median Household Income | £33,820 | £37,256 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 57.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.2% | 80.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.6% | 22.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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