Benson vs Princes Risborough
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Benson is about 13% 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
Princes Risborough
£582,135
Crime Rate
Benson
40.7
Princes Risborough
59.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Benson
100.0%
Princes Risborough
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Benson
350.1
Princes Risborough
300.3
EPC Rating
Benson
70.9
Princes Risborough
70.5
Median Income
Benson
£38,006
Princes Risborough
£35,471
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastThe average house price in Benson is £508,330, which is 13% less than Princes Risborough at £582,135. The most affordable entry point in Benson is a flat at £292,500, while in Princes Risborough it is a flat at £280,474.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 25% pricier in Princes Risborough (£870,257 vs £649,432).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Princes Risborough prices grew faster — 17% vs -4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Benson (40.7 per 1,000) compared to Princes Risborough (59.2 per 1,000), a 45% difference. The most common crime category in Benson is violent-crime, while in Princes Risborough 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 100% in Princes Risborough. Benson has 2 schools in total, while Princes Risborough has 3.
Benson School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Princes Risborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Benson | Princes Risborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 3 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Benson offers faster average downloads at 350.1 Mbps, compared to 300.3 Mbps in Princes Risborough. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Benson and 94.1% in Princes Risborough. Gigabit availability stands at 60.6% in Benson and 45.6% in Princes Risborough.
Benson is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (350 vs 300 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 Princes Risborough. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,343 in Benson and £1,241 in Princes Risborough. 64.2% of homes in Benson have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.8% in Princes Risborough.
Princes Risborough 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 Princes Risborough. The median age is 44.8 in Benson and 43.4 in Princes Risborough. Employment rates stand at 62.9% in Benson and 61.6% in Princes Risborough. Owner-occupancy is 70.2% in Benson versus 70% in Princes Risborough.
| Indicator | Benson | Princes Risborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,236 | 7,528 |
| 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 Princes Risborough?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Benson or Princes Risborough?
Is Benson or Princes Risborough safer?
Which has better schools, Benson or Princes Risborough?
Which has faster broadband, Benson or Princes Risborough?
Keep exploring