Bedford vs Shefford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Shefford wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Shefford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Shefford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Shefford
£396,529
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Shefford
49.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Shefford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Shefford
452.5
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Shefford
73.9
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Shefford
£35,716
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Bedford commands an average of £432,760, compared with £396,529 in Shefford – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Shefford it is a flat at £198,879.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 9% pricier in Shefford (£198,879 vs £180,246).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Shefford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 49.1 per 1,000 versus 77.7 per 1,000 in Bedford. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Shefford 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 Shefford, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 95% in Bedford. There are 27 schools in Bedford and 3 in Shefford.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shefford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Shefford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 3 |
| Primary | 20 | 1 |
| Secondary | 7 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 95% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 452.5 Mbps in Shefford and 434.4 Mbps in Bedford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 96% in Shefford. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 87.8% in Shefford.
Shefford is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (453 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Shefford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.9 (C), while Bedford averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,111 in Bedford and £1,083 in Shefford. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.3% in Shefford.
Shefford has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,716 in Shefford and £33,416 in Bedford. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 42.5 in Shefford. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 71.2% in Shefford. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 63.8% in Shefford.
| Indicator | Bedford | Shefford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 7,317 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £35,716 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 63.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 33.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bedford and Shefford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bedford or Shefford?
Is Bedford or Shefford safer?
Which has better schools, Bedford or Shefford?
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