Bearsted vs Staplehurst
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Staplehurst is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 64% lower. Bearsted has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bearsted edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bearsted
£588,043
Staplehurst
£357,867
Crime Rate
Bearsted
0.1
Staplehurst
0.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bearsted
100.0%
Staplehurst
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bearsted
372.2
Staplehurst
328.1
EPC Rating
Bearsted
72
Staplehurst
71.2
Median Income
Bearsted
£32,367
Staplehurst
£34,114
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £357,867, Staplehurst undercuts Bearsted (£588,043) by around 64% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bearsted is a flat at £295,600, while in Staplehurst it is a terraced at £277,559.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 47% pricier in Bearsted (£795,686 vs £541,518).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bearsted prices grew faster — 52% vs 7%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastBearsted has a crime rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 100% lower than Staplehurst at 0.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bearsted is violent-crime, while in Staplehurst 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 South EastOf the 3 schools in Bearsted, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Staplehurst, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bearsted School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Staplehurst School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bearsted | Staplehurst |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 1 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bearsted averages 372.2 Mbps – ahead of Staplehurst's 328.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.4% of premises in Bearsted and 89.1% in Staplehurst. Gigabit availability stands at 66.6% in Bearsted and 60.5% in Staplehurst.
Bearsted is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (372 vs 328 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bearsted leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Staplehurst averages 71.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,100 in Bearsted and £1,197 in Staplehurst. 66.5% of homes in Bearsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.3% in Staplehurst.
Bearsted has more energy-efficient housing — 66.5% reach band C or above, vs 64.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,114.3 in Staplehurst and £32,367 in Bearsted. The median age is 43.1 in Bearsted and 43.6 in Staplehurst. Owner-occupancy is 67.4% in Bearsted versus 67.5% in Staplehurst. Employment rates stand at 60.8% in Bearsted and 60.8% in Staplehurst.
| Indicator | Bearsted | Staplehurst |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,349 | 6,181 |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 43.6 |
| Median Household Income | £32,367 | £34,114.3 |
| Employment Rate | 60.8% | 60.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.4% | 67.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 34.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bearsted and Staplehurst?
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