Bicester vs Oxford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bicester wins on house prices with a 33% gap. Bicester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bicester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bicester
£400,967
Oxford
£602,910
Crime Rate
Bicester
63.6
Oxford
97.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bicester
100.0%
Oxford
94.3%
Avg Download Speed
Bicester
448
Oxford
419.1
EPC Rating
Bicester
71.8
Oxford
70.7
Median Income
Bicester
£36,082
Oxford
£37,224
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Oxford commands an average of £602,910, compared with £400,967 in Bicester – a difference of 33%. The most affordable entry point in Bicester is a flat at £198,084, while in Oxford it is a flat at £344,155.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 43% pricier in Oxford (£961,527 vs £546,893).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bicester prices grew faster — 9% vs 8%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Bicester experience less crime overall, with a rate of 63.6 per 1,000 versus 97.7 per 1,000 in Oxford. The most common crime category in Bicester 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 EastFamilies may prefer Bicester, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 94.3% in Oxford. There are 13 schools in Bicester and 42 in Oxford.
Bicester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) 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 | Bicester | Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 42 |
| Primary | 10 | 35 |
| Secondary | 3 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 94.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 448.0 Mbps in Bicester and 419.1 Mbps in Oxford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.6% of premises in Bicester and 97% in Oxford. Gigabit availability stands at 87% in Bicester and 77.9% in Oxford.
Bicester is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (448 vs 419 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bicester leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Oxford averages 70.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,188 in Bicester and £1,219 in Oxford. 70.2% of homes in Bicester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.6% in Oxford.
Bicester has more energy-efficient housing — 70.2% reach band C or above, vs 63.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,223.5 in Oxford and £36,082 in Bicester. The median age is 42.4 in Bicester and 40.9 in Oxford. Owner-occupancy is 65% in Bicester versus 57.8% in Oxford. Employment rates stand at 65.1% in Bicester and 58.2% in Oxford.
| Indicator | Bicester | Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,147 | 169,612 |
| Median Age | 42.4 | 40.9 |
| Median Household Income | £36,082 | £37,223.5 |
| Employment Rate | 65.1% | 58.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 65% | 57.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.1% | 45.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bicester and Oxford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bicester or Oxford?
Is Bicester or Oxford safer?
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