Basildon vs Writtle
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Basildon wins on house prices with a 34% gap. Writtle has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Basildon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Basildon
£352,811
Writtle
£534,932
Crime Rate
Basildon
85.3
Writtle
69.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Basildon
91.3%
Writtle
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Basildon
430.5
Writtle
417.3
EPC Rating
Basildon
71.5
Writtle
72.2
Median Income
Basildon
£33,820
Writtle
£34,617
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Writtle commands an average of £534,932, compared with £352,811 in Basildon – a difference of 34%. The most affordable entry point in Basildon is a flat at £189,398, while in Writtle it is a flat at £333,062.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 43% pricier in Writtle (£333,062 vs £189,398).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Writtle prices grew faster — 31% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Writtle experience less crime overall, with a rate of 69.3 per 1,000 versus 85.3 per 1,000 in Basildon. The most common crime category in Basildon is violent-crime, while in Writtle 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 66.7% in Writtle. There are 33 schools in Basildon and 3 in Writtle.
Basildon School Inspection Breakdown
91.3% of 33 schools (28 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Writtle School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Basildon | Writtle |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 3 |
| Primary | 28 | 2 |
| Secondary | 5 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 91.3% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 430.5 Mbps in Basildon and 417.3 Mbps in Writtle. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.7% of premises in Basildon and 96.2% in Writtle. Gigabit availability stands at 84.1% in Basildon and 79.8% in Writtle.
Basildon is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (431 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Writtle, scoring 72.2 on average (band C) compared to 71.5 (band C) in Basildon. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,033 in Basildon and £1,205 in Writtle. 70% of homes in Basildon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.2% in Writtle.
Basildon has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 68.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,617 in Writtle and £33,820 in Basildon. The median age is 41.4 in Basildon and 44 in Writtle. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Basildon and 61.5% in Writtle. Owner-occupancy is 63.2% in Basildon versus 70.3% in Writtle. Basildon has a population of 115,679 and Writtle has 4,703.
| Indicator | Basildon | Writtle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,679 | 4,703 |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £33,820 | £34,617 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 61.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.2% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.6% | 35.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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