Biggleswade vs Clapham (Bedford)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Biggleswade is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 20% lower. Biggleswade has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Biggleswade edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Biggleswade
£399,954
Clapham (Bedford)
£500,968
Crime Rate
Biggleswade
48.7
Clapham (Bedford)
77.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Biggleswade
100.0%
Clapham (Bedford)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Biggleswade
414.6
Clapham (Bedford)
446.2
EPC Rating
Biggleswade
73.9
Clapham (Bedford)
71.5
Median Income
Biggleswade
£35,716
Clapham (Bedford)
£33,416
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Clapham (bedford) commands an average of £500,968, compared with £399,954 in Biggleswade – a difference of 20%. The most affordable entry point in Biggleswade is a flat at £205,398, while in Clapham (bedford) it is a semi-detached at £366,961.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 55% pricier in Clapham (bedford) (£460,258 vs £205,398).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Biggleswade prices grew faster — 43% vs 5%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandBiggleswade has a crime rate of 48.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 59% lower than Clapham (bedford) at 77.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Biggleswade is violent-crime, while in Clapham (bedford) 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 Biggleswade, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Clapham (bedford). There are 5 schools in Biggleswade and 1 in Clapham (bedford).
Biggleswade School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Clapham (Bedford) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Biggleswade | Clapham (Bedford) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 1 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 446.2 Mbps in Clapham (bedford) and 414.6 Mbps in Biggleswade. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.8% of premises in Biggleswade and 97.1% in Clapham (bedford). Gigabit availability stands at 80.6% in Biggleswade and 86.9% in Clapham (bedford).
Clapham (bedford) is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (446 vs 415 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Biggleswade leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.9 (C), while Clapham (bedford) averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,083 in Biggleswade and £1,111 in Clapham (bedford). 71.3% of homes in Biggleswade have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Clapham (bedford).
Biggleswade has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,716 in Biggleswade and £33,416 in Clapham (bedford). The median age is 42.5 in Biggleswade and 41.6 in Clapham (bedford). Owner-occupancy is 71.2% in Biggleswade versus 62.7% in Clapham (bedford). Employment rates stand at 63.8% in Biggleswade and 61.3% in Clapham (bedford).
| Indicator | Biggleswade | Clapham (Bedford) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,592 | 4,502 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 41.6 |
| Median Household Income | £35,716 | £33,416 |
| Employment Rate | 63.8% | 61.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.2% | 62.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.2% | 34.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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