Town comparison
Bedford vs Woburn Sands
Which is better to live in? 11.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bedford wins on house prices with a 18% gap. Bedford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Woburn Sands edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedford
£432,760
Woburn Sands
£530,143
Crime Rate
Bedford
77.7
Woburn Sands
87.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedford
95.0%
Woburn Sands
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedford
434.4
Woburn Sands
371.8
EPC Rating
Bedford
71.5
Woburn Sands
73.1
Median Income
Bedford
£33,416
Woburn Sands
£35,370
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Woburn Sands commands an average of £530,143, compared with £432,760 in Bedford – a difference of 18%. The most affordable entry point in Bedford is a flat at £180,246, while in Woburn Sands it is a flat at £274,613.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 34% pricier in Woburn Sands (£274,613 vs £180,246).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Woburn Sands prices grew faster — 44% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Bedford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 77.7 per 1,000 versus 87.4 per 1,000 in Woburn Sands. The most common crime category in Bedford is violent-crime, while in Woburn Sands 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 Woburn Sands, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 95% in Bedford. There are 27 schools in Bedford and 1 in Woburn Sands.
Bedford School Inspection Breakdown
95% of 27 schools (20 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Woburn Sands School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedford | Woburn Sands |
|---|---|---|
| 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 371.8 Mbps in Woburn Sands. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Bedford and 90.4% in Woburn Sands. Gigabit availability stands at 82.1% in Bedford and 69.6% in Woburn Sands.
Bedford is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (434 vs 372 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Woburn Sands 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 £1,110 in Woburn Sands. 68.5% of homes in Bedford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.1% in Woburn Sands.
Woburn Sands has more energy-efficient housing — 72.1% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,370.3 in Woburn Sands and £33,416 in Bedford. The median age is 41.6 in Bedford and 41.6 in Woburn Sands. Owner-occupancy is 62.7% in Bedford versus 65.3% in Woburn Sands. Employment rates stand at 61.3% in Bedford and 63.1% in Woburn Sands.
| Indicator | Bedford | Woburn Sands |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,226 | 4,315 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 41.6 |
| Median Household Income | £33,416 | £35,370.3 |
| Employment Rate | 61.3% | 63.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.7% | 65.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.7% | 36.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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