Bexley vs Chigwell
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bexley is about 18% cheaper on average. Bexley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chigwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bexley
£504,078
Chigwell
£617,191
Crime Rate
Bexley
61.2
Chigwell
64.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bexley
90.9%
Chigwell
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bexley
484.3
Chigwell
433.8
EPC Rating
Bexley
69.3
Chigwell
70.6
Median Income
Bexley
£38,478
Chigwell
£36,572
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in LondonBuyers will find Bexley more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £504,078 versus £617,191 in Chigwell. The most affordable entry point in Bexley is a flat at £267,125, while in Chigwell it is a flat at £338,714.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 45% pricier in Chigwell (£1,338,738 vs £738,418).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bexley prices grew faster — 30% vs -6%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in LondonWith 61.2 offences per 1,000 people, Bexley is the safer of the two – 5% lower than Chigwell's 64.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bexley is violent-crime, while in Chigwell 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 LondonSchool quality favours Chigwell: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 90.9% in Bexley.
Bexley School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 76 schools (60 primary, 16 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chigwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bexley | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 76 | 4 |
| Primary | 60 | 3 |
| Secondary | 16 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bexley enjoy 484.3 Mbps on average, while Chigwell lags behind at 433.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.9% of premises in Bexley and 97.9% in Chigwell. Gigabit availability stands at 96.4% in Bexley and 84.6% in Chigwell.
Bexley is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (484 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Chigwell is band C (score 70.6), ahead of Bexley's band C (score 69.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,052 in Bexley and £1,152 in Chigwell. 58.2% of homes in Bexley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63% in Chigwell.
Chigwell has more energy-efficient housing — 63% reach band C or above, vs 58.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bexley has a population of 245,892 while Chigwell has 12,251. Median household income is £38,478 in Bexley and £36,572 in Chigwell. The median age is 41.6 in Bexley and 41 in Chigwell. Employment rates stand at 60.2% in Bexley and 59.2% in Chigwell.
| Indicator | Bexley | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,892 | 12,251 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 41 |
| Median Household Income | £38,478 | £36,572 |
| Employment Rate | 60.2% | 59.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 63.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.6% | 37.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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