Biggleswade vs Shefford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Shefford is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 1% lower. Biggleswade has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Biggleswade edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Biggleswade
£399,954
Shefford
£396,529
Crime Rate
Biggleswade
48.7
Shefford
49.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Biggleswade
100.0%
Shefford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Biggleswade
414.6
Shefford
452.5
EPC Rating
Biggleswade
73.9
Shefford
73.9
Median Income
Biggleswade
£35,716
Shefford
£35,716
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £396,529, Shefford undercuts Biggleswade (£399,954) by around 1% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Biggleswade is a flat at £205,398, while in Shefford it is a flat at £198,879.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 5% pricier in Shefford (£387,431 vs £369,816).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Biggleswade prices grew faster — 43% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandBiggleswade has a crime rate of 48.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 1% lower than Shefford at 49.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Biggleswade is violent-crime, while in Shefford 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 EnglandOf the 5 schools in Biggleswade, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Shefford, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Biggleswade School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shefford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Biggleswade | Shefford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 3 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Shefford averages 452.5 Mbps – ahead of Biggleswade's 414.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.8% of premises in Biggleswade and 96% in Shefford. Gigabit availability stands at 80.6% in Biggleswade and 87.8% in Shefford.
Shefford is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (453 vs 415 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Biggleswade leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.9 (C), while Shefford averages 73.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,083 in Biggleswade and £1,083 in Shefford. 71.3% of homes in Biggleswade have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.3% in Shefford.
Biggleswade has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 71.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,716 in Biggleswade and £35,716 in Shefford. The median age is 42.5 in Biggleswade and 42.5 in Shefford. Owner-occupancy is 71.2% in Biggleswade versus 71.2% in Shefford. Employment rates stand at 63.8% in Biggleswade and 63.8% in Shefford.
| Indicator | Biggleswade | Shefford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,592 | 7,317 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £35,716 | £35,716 |
| Employment Rate | 63.8% | 63.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.2% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.2% | 33.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Biggleswade and Shefford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Biggleswade or Shefford?
Is Biggleswade or Shefford safer?
Which has better schools, Biggleswade or Shefford?
Which has faster broadband, Biggleswade or Shefford?
Keep exploring