Benson vs Oxford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.7 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Benson wins on house prices with a 16% gap. Benson has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Benson edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Benson
£508,330
Oxford
£602,910
Crime Rate
Benson
40.7
Oxford
97.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Benson
100.0%
Oxford
94.3%
Avg Download Speed
Benson
350.1
Oxford
419.1
EPC Rating
Benson
70.9
Oxford
70.7
Median Income
Benson
£38,006
Oxford
£37,224
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastAt £508,330, Benson undercuts Oxford (£602,910) by around 16% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Benson is a flat at £292,500, while in Oxford it is a flat at £344,155.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 32% pricier in Oxford (£961,527 vs £649,432).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Oxford prices grew faster — 8% vs -4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Benson experience less crime overall, with a rate of 40.7 per 1,000 versus 97.7 per 1,000 in Oxford. The most common crime category in Benson is violent-crime, while in Oxford 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 EastOf the 2 schools in Benson, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Oxford, which has 42 schools, the figure is 94.3%.
Benson School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Oxford School Inspection Breakdown
94.3% of 42 schools (35 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Benson | Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 42 |
| Primary | 2 | 35 |
| Secondary | 0 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 94.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Oxford averages 419.1 Mbps – ahead of Benson's 350.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Benson and 97% in Oxford. Gigabit availability stands at 60.6% in Benson and 77.9% in Oxford.
Oxford is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (419 vs 350 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Benson leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.9 (C), while Oxford averages 70.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,343 in Benson and £1,219 in Oxford. 64.2% of homes in Benson have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.6% in Oxford.
Benson has more energy-efficient housing — 64.2% reach band C or above, vs 63.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,006 in Benson and £37,223.5 in Oxford. The median age is 44.8 in Benson and 40.9 in Oxford. Owner-occupancy is 70.2% in Benson versus 57.8% in Oxford. Employment rates stand at 62.9% in Benson and 58.2% in Oxford.
| Indicator | Benson | Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,236 | 169,612 |
| Median Age | 44.8 | 40.9 |
| Median Household Income | £38,006 | £37,223.5 |
| Employment Rate | 62.9% | 58.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.2% | 57.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.6% | 45.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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