Bedford vs Stotfold
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Stotfold is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 8% lower. Stotfold has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Stotfold edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Stotfold
£399,845
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Stotfold
48.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Stotfold
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Stotfold
386.2
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Stotfold
73.1
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Stotfold
£35,426
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £399,845, Stotfold undercuts Bedford (£432,760) by around 8% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Stotfold it is a flat at £226,167.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 20% pricier in Stotfold (£226,167 vs £180,246).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bedford prices grew faster — 37% vs 15%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandStotfold has a crime rate of 48.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 59% lower than Bedford at 77.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Stotfold 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 Stotfold, which has 4 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Stotfold School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Stotfold |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 27 | 4 |
| Primary | 20 | 3 |
| Secondary | 7 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 95% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bedford averages 434.4 Mbps – ahead of Stotfold's 386.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 95.4% in Stotfold. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 73.3% in Stotfold.
Bedford is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (434 vs 386 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Stotfold leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.1 (C), while Bedford averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,111 in Bedford and £1,044 in Stotfold. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.8% in Stotfold.
Stotfold has more energy-efficient housing — 72.8% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,426.3 in Stotfold and £33,416 in Bedford. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 42.5 in Stotfold. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 64.3% in Stotfold. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 63.3% in Stotfold.
| Indicator | Bedford | Stotfold |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 12,313 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £35,426.3 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 64.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 34.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bedford and Stotfold?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bedford or Stotfold?
Is Bedford or Stotfold safer?
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