Town comparison
Bedford vs Irthlingborough
Which is better to live in? 14.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Irthlingborough is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 80% lower. Bedford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Irthlingborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Irthlingborough
£239,943
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Irthlingborough
98.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Irthlingborough
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Irthlingborough
451
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Irthlingborough
73.5
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Irthlingborough
£31,402
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £239,943, Irthlingborough undercuts Bedford (£432,760) by around 80% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Irthlingborough it is a flat at £101,469.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 78% pricier in Bedford (£180,246 vs £101,469).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandBedford has a crime rate of 77.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 27% lower than Irthlingborough at 98.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Irthlingborough 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 EnglandOf the 27 schools in Bedford, 95% are in the top two inspection bands. In Irthlingborough, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Irthlingborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Irthlingborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 3 |
| Primary | 20 | 2 |
| Secondary | 7 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 95% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Irthlingborough averages 451.0 Mbps – ahead of Bedford's 434.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 95.4% in Irthlingborough. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 88.8% in Irthlingborough.
Irthlingborough is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (451 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Irthlingborough leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.5 (C), while Bedford averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,111 in Bedford and £1,082 in Irthlingborough. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.3% in Irthlingborough.
Irthlingborough has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,416 in Bedford and £31,402 in Irthlingborough. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 42.4 in Irthlingborough. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 65% in Irthlingborough. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 61.8% in Irthlingborough.
| Indicator | Bedford | Irthlingborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 9,308 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £31,402 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 61.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 65% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 26.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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