Bedford vs Flitwick
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Flitwick is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 23% lower. Flitwick has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Flitwick edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Flitwick
£351,379
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Flitwick
48.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Flitwick
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Flitwick
361
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Flitwick
72.7
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Flitwick
£34,566
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Bedford commands an average of £432,760, compared with £351,379 in Flitwick – a difference of 23%. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Flitwick it is a flat at £201,440.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 14% pricier in Bedford (£585,794 vs £513,932).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 19%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandFlitwick has a crime rate of 48.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 60% lower than Bedford at 77.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Flitwick 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 Flitwick, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 95% in Bedford. There are 27 schools in Bedford and 4 in Flitwick.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Flitwick School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Flitwick |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 4 |
| Primary | 20 | 3 |
| Secondary | 7 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 95% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 434.4 Mbps in Bedford and 361.0 Mbps in Flitwick. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 93.5% in Flitwick. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 65.3% in Flitwick.
Bedford is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (434 vs 361 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Flitwick leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.7 (C), while Bedford averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,111 in Bedford and £1,097 in Flitwick. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.9% in Flitwick.
Flitwick has more energy-efficient housing — 69.9% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,566 in Flitwick and £33,416 in Bedford. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 42 in Flitwick. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 67% in Flitwick. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 62.5% in Flitwick.
| Indicator | Bedford | Flitwick |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 13,668 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 42 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £34,566 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 62.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 34% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bedford and Flitwick?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bedford or Flitwick?
Is Bedford or Flitwick safer?
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