Bedford vs Shortstown
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Shortstown wins on house prices with a 30% gap. Bedford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Shortstown edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Shortstown
£332,709
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Shortstown
78.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Shortstown
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Shortstown
463.6
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Shortstown
72.7
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Shortstown
£34,566
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £332,709, Shortstown undercuts Bedford (£432,760) by around 30% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Shortstown it is a flat at £192,462.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 43% pricier in Bedford (£585,794 vs £410,010).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Bedford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 77.7 per 1,000 versus 78.1 per 1,000 in Shortstown. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Shortstown 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 Shortstown, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shortstown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Shortstown |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 1 |
| Primary | 20 | 1 |
| Secondary | 7 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 95% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Shortstown averages 463.6 Mbps – ahead of Bedford's 434.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 98.5% in Shortstown. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 90.6% in Shortstown.
Shortstown is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (464 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Shortstown 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 Shortstown. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.9% in Shortstown.
Shortstown 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 Shortstown and £33,416 in Bedford. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 42 in Shortstown. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 67% in Shortstown. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 62.5% in Shortstown.
| Indicator | Bedford | Shortstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 4,837 |
| 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 Shortstown?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bedford or Shortstown?
Is Bedford or Shortstown safer?
Which has better schools, Bedford or Shortstown?
Which has faster broadband, Bedford or Shortstown?
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