Biggleswade vs Melbourn
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Biggleswade offers lower property prices by roughly 12%. Melbourn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Biggleswade edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Biggleswade
£399,954
Melbourn
£454,427
Crime Rate
Biggleswade
48.7
Melbourn
46.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Biggleswade
100.0%
Melbourn
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Biggleswade
414.6
Melbourn
384.7
EPC Rating
Biggleswade
73.9
Melbourn
73.6
Median Income
Biggleswade
£35,716
Melbourn
£36,933
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandBuyers will find Biggleswade more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £399,954 versus £454,427 in Melbourn. The most affordable entry point in Biggleswade is a flat at £205,398, while in Melbourn it is a flat at £252,200.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 19% pricier in Melbourn (£377,067 vs £304,123).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Biggleswade prices grew faster — 43% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 46.1 offences per 1,000 people, Melbourn is the safer of the two – 6% lower than Biggleswade's 48.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Biggleswade is violent-crime, while in Melbourn 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 EnglandSchool quality favours Biggleswade: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Melbourn.
Biggleswade School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Melbourn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Biggleswade | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Biggleswade enjoy 414.6 Mbps on average, while Melbourn lags behind at 384.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.8% of premises in Biggleswade and 94.5% in Melbourn. Gigabit availability stands at 80.6% in Biggleswade and 72.7% in Melbourn.
Biggleswade is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (415 vs 385 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Biggleswade is band C (score 73.9), ahead of Melbourn's band C (score 73.6). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,083 in Biggleswade and £1,142 in Melbourn. 71.3% of homes in Biggleswade have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.2% in Melbourn.
Melbourn has more energy-efficient housing — 72.2% reach band C or above, vs 71.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Biggleswade has a population of 21,592 while Melbourn has 4,907. Median household income is £36,933 in Melbourn and £35,716 in Biggleswade. The median age is 42.5 in Biggleswade and 43.8 in Melbourn. Employment rates stand at 63.8% in Biggleswade and 62.8% in Melbourn.
| Indicator | Biggleswade | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,592 | 4,907 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £35,716 | £36,933 |
| Employment Rate | 63.8% | 62.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.2% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.2% | 39.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Biggleswade and Melbourn?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Biggleswade or Melbourn?
Is Biggleswade or Melbourn safer?
Which has better schools, Biggleswade or Melbourn?
Which has faster broadband, Biggleswade or Melbourn?
Keep exploring