Biggleswade vs Shortstown
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Shortstown 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
Shortstown
£332,709
Crime Rate
Biggleswade
48.7
Shortstown
78.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Biggleswade
100.0%
Shortstown
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Biggleswade
414.6
Shortstown
463.6
EPC Rating
Biggleswade
73.9
Shortstown
72.7
Median Income
Biggleswade
£35,716
Shortstown
£34,566
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Biggleswade commands an average of £399,954, compared with £332,709 in Shortstown – a difference of 20%. The most affordable entry point in Biggleswade is a flat at £205,398, while in Shortstown it is a flat at £192,462.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 30% pricier in Biggleswade (£533,545 vs £410,010).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Biggleswade prices grew faster — 43% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandBiggleswade has a crime rate of 48.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 60% lower than Shortstown at 78.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Biggleswade is violent-crime, while in Shortstown 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 Shortstown. There are 5 schools in Biggleswade and 1 in Shortstown.
Biggleswade School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shortstown School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Biggleswade | Shortstown |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 1 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 463.6 Mbps in Shortstown and 414.6 Mbps in Biggleswade. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.8% of premises in Biggleswade and 98.5% in Shortstown. Gigabit availability stands at 80.6% in Biggleswade and 90.6% in Shortstown.
Shortstown is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (464 vs 415 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Biggleswade, scoring 73.9 on average (band C) compared to 72.7 (band C) in Shortstown. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,083 in Biggleswade and £1,097 in Shortstown. 71.3% of homes in Biggleswade have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.9% in Shortstown.
Biggleswade has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 69.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,716 in Biggleswade and £34,566 in Shortstown. The median age is 42.5 in Biggleswade and 42 in Shortstown. Employment rates stand at 63.8% in Biggleswade and 62.5% in Shortstown. Owner-occupancy is 71.2% in Biggleswade versus 67% in Shortstown. Biggleswade has a population of 21,592 and Shortstown has 4,837.
| Indicator | Biggleswade | Shortstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,592 | 4,837 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 42 |
| Median Household Income | £35,716 | £34,566 |
| Employment Rate | 63.8% | 62.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.2% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.2% | 34% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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