Bedford vs Great Denham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Great Denham is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 25% lower. Great Denham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Great Denham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Great Denham
£346,612
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Great Denham
77.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Great Denham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Great Denham
434.4
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Great Denham
71.5
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Great Denham
£33,416
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Bedford commands an average of £432,760, compared with £346,612 in Great Denham – a difference of 25%. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Great Denham it is a flat at £207,776.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 26% pricier in Bedford (£585,794 vs £463,882).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandGreat Denham has a crime rate of 77.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Bedford at 77.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Great Denham 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 Great Denham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 95% in Bedford. There are 27 schools in Bedford and 1 in Great Denham.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Great Denham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Great Denham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 1 |
| Primary | 20 | 1 |
| Secondary | 7 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 95% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 434.4 Mbps in Bedford and 434.4 Mbps in Great Denham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 97% in Great Denham. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 82.1% in Great Denham.
Bedford is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (434 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bedford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.5 (C), while Great Denham averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,111 in Bedford and £1,111 in Great Denham. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Great Denham.
Bedford has more energy-efficient housing — 68.5% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,416 in Bedford and £33,416 in Great Denham. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 41.6 in Great Denham. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 62.7% in Great Denham. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 61.3% in Great Denham.
| Indicator | Bedford | Great Denham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 4,363 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 41.6 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £33,416 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 61.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 62.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 34.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bedford and Great Denham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bedford or Great Denham?
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