Bicester vs Buckingham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bicester is about 11% cheaper on average. Buckingham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bicester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bicester
£400,967
Buckingham
£450,558
Crime Rate
Bicester
63.6
Buckingham
59.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bicester
100.0%
Buckingham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bicester
448
Buckingham
389.6
EPC Rating
Bicester
71.8
Buckingham
71.2
Median Income
Bicester
£36,082
Buckingham
£35,777
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Bicester more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £400,967 versus £450,558 in Buckingham. The most affordable entry point in Bicester is a flat at £198,084, while in Buckingham it is a flat at £207,655.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 5% pricier in Buckingham (£574,143 vs £546,893).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Buckingham prices grew faster — 28% vs 9%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastWith 59.2 offences per 1,000 people, Buckingham is the safer of the two – 7% lower than Bicester's 63.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bicester is violent-crime, while in Buckingham 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 EastSchool quality favours Bicester: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Buckingham.
Bicester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Buckingham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (5 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bicester | Buckingham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 7 |
| Primary | 10 | 5 |
| Secondary | 3 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bicester enjoy 448.0 Mbps on average, while Buckingham lags behind at 389.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.6% of premises in Bicester and 87.9% in Buckingham. Gigabit availability stands at 87% in Bicester and 75.5% in Buckingham.
Bicester is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (448 vs 390 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bicester is band C (score 71.8), ahead of Buckingham's band C (score 71.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,188 in Bicester and £1,214 in Buckingham. 70.2% of homes in Bicester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68% in Buckingham.
Bicester has more energy-efficient housing — 70.2% reach band C or above, vs 68% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bicester has a population of 37,147 while Buckingham has 14,296. Median household income is £36,082 in Bicester and £35,776.5 in Buckingham. The median age is 42.4 in Bicester and 42.9 in Buckingham. Employment rates stand at 65.1% in Bicester and 63.3% in Buckingham.
| Indicator | Bicester | Buckingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,147 | 14,296 |
| Median Age | 42.4 | 42.9 |
| Median Household Income | £36,082 | £35,776.5 |
| Employment Rate | 65.1% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 65% | 67.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.1% | 38% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bicester and Buckingham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bicester or Buckingham?
Is Bicester or Buckingham safer?
Which has better schools, Bicester or Buckingham?
Which has faster broadband, Bicester or Buckingham?
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