Basildon vs Thundersley and South Benfleet
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Basildon wins on house prices with a 17% gap. Thundersley And South Benfleet has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Basildon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Basildon
£352,811
Thundersley and South Benfleet
£423,137
Crime Rate
Basildon
85.3
Thundersley and South Benfleet
51.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Basildon
91.3%
Thundersley and South Benfleet
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Basildon
430.5
Thundersley and South Benfleet
377.5
EPC Rating
Basildon
71.5
Thundersley and South Benfleet
69.5
Median Income
Basildon
£33,820
Thundersley and South Benfleet
£34,365
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Thundersley And South Benfleet commands an average of £423,137, compared with £352,811 in Basildon – a difference of 17%. The most affordable entry point in Basildon is a flat at £189,398, while in Thundersley And South Benfleet it is a flat at £232,731.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 19% pricier in Thundersley And South Benfleet (£232,731 vs £189,398).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Thundersley And South Benfleet prices grew faster — 30% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Thundersley And South Benfleet experience less crime overall, with a rate of 51.7 per 1,000 versus 85.3 per 1,000 in Basildon. The most common crime category in Basildon is violent-crime, while in Thundersley And South Benfleet 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 90.9% in Thundersley And South Benfleet. There are 33 schools in Basildon and 16 in Thundersley And South Benfleet.
Basildon School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 33 schools (28 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Thundersley and South Benfleet School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 16 schools (13 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Basildon | Thundersley and South Benfleet |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 16 |
| Primary | 28 | 13 |
| Secondary | 5 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 430.5 Mbps in Basildon and 377.5 Mbps in Thundersley And South Benfleet. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.7% of premises in Basildon and 98.5% in Thundersley And South Benfleet. Gigabit availability stands at 84.1% in Basildon and 70.9% in Thundersley And South Benfleet.
Basildon is the faster of the two by 14% on average download speed (431 vs 378 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Basildon leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.5 (C), while Thundersley And South Benfleet averages 69.5 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,033 in Basildon and £1,123 in Thundersley And South Benfleet. 70% of homes in Basildon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.4% in Thundersley And South Benfleet.
Basildon has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 58.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,365 in Thundersley And South Benfleet and £33,820 in Basildon. The median age is 41.4 in Basildon and 44.2 in Thundersley And South Benfleet. Owner-occupancy is 63.2% in Basildon versus 71.7% in Thundersley And South Benfleet. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Basildon and 57.5% in Thundersley And South Benfleet.
| Indicator | Basildon | Thundersley and South Benfleet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,679 | 49,886 |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £33,820 | £34,365 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 57.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.2% | 71.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.6% | 21.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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