Benson vs Marlow
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Benson is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 34% lower. Benson has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Benson edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Benson
£508,330
Marlow
£775,630
Crime Rate
Benson
40.7
Marlow
59.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Benson
100.0%
Marlow
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Benson
350.1
Marlow
402.1
EPC Rating
Benson
70.9
Marlow
71
Median Income
Benson
£38,006
Marlow
£36,571
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Marlow commands an average of £775,630, compared with £508,330 in Benson – a difference of 34%. The most affordable entry point in Benson is a flat at £292,500, while in Marlow it is a flat at £404,566.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 42% pricier in Marlow (£1,125,806 vs £649,432).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Marlow prices grew faster — 19% vs -4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastBenson has a crime rate of 40.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 46% lower than Marlow at 59.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Benson is violent-crime, while in Marlow 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 EastFamilies may prefer Benson, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Marlow. There are 2 schools in Benson and 8 in Marlow.
Benson School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Marlow School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Benson | Marlow |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 8 |
| Primary | 2 | 6 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 402.1 Mbps in Marlow and 350.1 Mbps in Benson. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Benson and 95.4% in Marlow. Gigabit availability stands at 60.6% in Benson and 75.3% in Marlow.
Marlow is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (402 vs 350 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Marlow, scoring 71 on average (band C) compared to 70.9 (band C) in Benson. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,343 in Benson and £1,240 in Marlow. 64.2% of homes in Benson have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.5% in Marlow.
Marlow has more energy-efficient housing — 66.5% reach band C or above, vs 64.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,006 in Benson and £36,570.5 in Marlow. The median age is 44.8 in Benson and 43.5 in Marlow. Employment rates stand at 62.9% in Benson and 61.7% in Marlow. Owner-occupancy is 70.2% in Benson versus 68.1% in Marlow. Benson has a population of 5,236 and Marlow has 14,641.
| Indicator | Benson | Marlow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,236 | 14,641 |
| Median Age | 44.8 | 43.5 |
| Median Household Income | £38,006 | £36,570.5 |
| Employment Rate | 62.9% | 61.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.2% | 68.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.6% | 43% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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