Town comparison
Bedford vs Marston Moretaine
Which is better to live in? 6.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Marston Moretaine wins on house prices with a 21% gap. Marston Moretaine has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Marston Moretaine edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Marston Moretaine
£357,190
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Marston Moretaine
48.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Marston Moretaine
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Marston Moretaine
324.9
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Marston Moretaine
73.4
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Marston Moretaine
£34,685
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Bedford commands an average of £432,760, compared with £357,190 in Marston Moretaine – a difference of 21%. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Marston Moretaine it is a flat at £215,667.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 23% pricier in Bedford (£585,794 vs £476,982).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 9%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Marston Moretaine experience less crime overall, with a rate of 48.6 per 1,000 versus 77.7 per 1,000 in Bedford. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Marston Moretaine 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 Marston Moretaine, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 95% in Bedford. There are 27 schools in Bedford and 1 in Marston Moretaine.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Marston Moretaine School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Marston Moretaine |
|---|---|---|
| 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 324.9 Mbps in Marston Moretaine. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 90.2% in Marston Moretaine. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 58.9% in Marston Moretaine.
Bedford is the faster of the two by 34% on average download speed (434 vs 325 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Marston Moretaine leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.4 (C), while Bedford averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,111 in Bedford and £1,067 in Marston Moretaine. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 73% in Marston Moretaine.
Marston Moretaine has more energy-efficient housing — 73% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,685.3 in Marston Moretaine and £33,416 in Bedford. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 41 in Marston Moretaine. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 62.9% in Marston Moretaine. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 63% in Marston Moretaine.
| Indicator | Bedford | Marston Moretaine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 6,032 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 41 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £34,685.3 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 63% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 62.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 34.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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