Benson vs High Wycombe
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in High Wycombe is about 1% cheaper on average. Benson has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Benson edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Benson
£508,330
High Wycombe
£501,701
Crime Rate
Benson
40.7
High Wycombe
59.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Benson
100.0%
High Wycombe
81.2%
Avg Download Speed
Benson
350.1
High Wycombe
408.6
EPC Rating
Benson
70.9
High Wycombe
70.5
Median Income
Benson
£38,006
High Wycombe
£35,471
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastThe average house price in High Wycombe is £501,701, which is 1% less than Benson at £508,330. The most affordable entry point in Benson is a flat at £292,500, while in High Wycombe it is a flat at £238,035.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 23% pricier in Benson (£292,500 vs £238,035).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, High Wycombe prices grew faster — 31% vs -4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Benson (40.7 per 1,000) compared to High Wycombe (59.2 per 1,000), a 45% difference. The most common crime category in Benson is violent-crime, while in High Wycombe 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 South EastBenson has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 81.2% in High Wycombe. Benson has 2 schools in total, while High Wycombe has 22.
Benson School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
High Wycombe School Inspection Breakdown
81.2% of 22 schools (16 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Benson | High Wycombe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 22 |
| Primary | 2 | 16 |
| Secondary | 0 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 81.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
High Wycombe offers faster average downloads at 408.6 Mbps, compared to 350.1 Mbps in Benson. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Benson and 99.3% in High Wycombe. Gigabit availability stands at 60.6% in Benson and 73.2% in High Wycombe.
High Wycombe is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (409 vs 350 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Benson are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 70.9 (band C) versus 70.5 (band C) in High Wycombe. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,343 in Benson and £1,241 in High Wycombe. 64.2% of homes in Benson have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.8% in High Wycombe.
High Wycombe has more energy-efficient housing — 65.8% reach band C or above, vs 64.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,006 in Benson and £35,471 in High Wycombe. The median age is 44.8 in Benson and 43.4 in High Wycombe. Employment rates stand at 62.9% in Benson and 61.6% in High Wycombe. Owner-occupancy is 70.2% in Benson versus 70% in High Wycombe.
| Indicator | Benson | High Wycombe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,236 | 83,541 |
| Median Age | 44.8 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £38,006 | £35,471 |
| Employment Rate | 62.9% | 61.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.2% | 70% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.6% | 41% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Benson and High Wycombe?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Benson or High Wycombe?
Is Benson or High Wycombe safer?
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