Berkhamsted vs Leighton Buzzard
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Leighton Buzzard wins on house prices with a 90% gap. Leighton Buzzard has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Leighton Buzzard edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Berkhamsted
£761,843
Leighton Buzzard
£401,597
Crime Rate
Berkhamsted
69.0
Leighton Buzzard
48.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Berkhamsted
62.5%
Leighton Buzzard
86.7%
Avg Download Speed
Berkhamsted
302.7
Leighton Buzzard
343.6
EPC Rating
Berkhamsted
71.9
Leighton Buzzard
72.2
Median Income
Berkhamsted
£34,575
Leighton Buzzard
£35,594
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Berkhamsted commands an average of £761,843, compared with £401,597 in Leighton Buzzard – a difference of 90%. The most affordable entry point in Berkhamsted is a flat at £369,950, while in Leighton Buzzard it is a flat at £187,233.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 112% pricier in Berkhamsted (£1,208,732 vs £569,867).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Leighton Buzzard prices grew faster — 31% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Leighton Buzzard experience less crime overall, with a rate of 48.7 per 1,000 versus 69 per 1,000 in Berkhamsted. The most common crime category in Berkhamsted is violent-crime, while in Leighton Buzzard 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 Leighton Buzzard, where 86.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 62.5% in Berkhamsted. There are 8 schools in Berkhamsted and 16 in Leighton Buzzard.
Berkhamsted School Inspection Breakdown
62.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Leighton Buzzard School Inspection Breakdown
86.7% of 16 schools (11 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Berkhamsted | Leighton Buzzard |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 16 |
| Primary | 7 | 11 |
| Secondary | 1 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 62.5% | 86.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 343.6 Mbps in Leighton Buzzard and 302.7 Mbps in Berkhamsted. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Berkhamsted and 92.6% in Leighton Buzzard. Gigabit availability stands at 53.7% in Berkhamsted and 63.2% in Leighton Buzzard.
Leighton Buzzard is the faster of the two by 14% on average download speed (344 vs 303 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Leighton Buzzard, scoring 72.2 on average (band C) compared to 71.9 (band C) in Berkhamsted. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,145 in Berkhamsted and £1,162 in Leighton Buzzard. 69.3% of homes in Berkhamsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.6% in Leighton Buzzard.
Berkhamsted has more energy-efficient housing — 69.3% reach band C or above, vs 68.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,593.5 in Leighton Buzzard and £34,574.7 in Berkhamsted. The median age is 42.8 in Berkhamsted and 43 in Leighton Buzzard. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Berkhamsted and 62.7% in Leighton Buzzard. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Berkhamsted versus 70.6% in Leighton Buzzard. Berkhamsted has a population of 21,236 and Leighton Buzzard has 42,736.
| Indicator | Berkhamsted | Leighton Buzzard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,236 | 42,736 |
| Median Age | 42.8 | 43 |
| Median Household Income | £34,574.7 | £35,593.5 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 62.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 70.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 37.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Berkhamsted and Leighton Buzzard?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Berkhamsted or Leighton Buzzard?
Is Berkhamsted or Leighton Buzzard safer?
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