Billericay vs Chigwell
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Billericay is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 5% lower. Chigwell has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chigwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Billericay
£588,207
Chigwell
£617,191
Crime Rate
Billericay
85.3
Chigwell
64.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Billericay
83.3%
Chigwell
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Billericay
419.2
Chigwell
433.8
EPC Rating
Billericay
71
Chigwell
70.6
Median Income
Billericay
£38,650
Chigwell
£36,572
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Chigwell commands an average of £617,191, compared with £588,207 in Billericay – a difference of 5%. The most affordable entry point in Billericay is a flat at £238,151, while in Chigwell it is a flat at £338,714.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 40% pricier in Chigwell (£1,338,738 vs £806,645).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Billericay prices grew faster — 32% vs -6%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandChigwell has a crime rate of 64.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 33% lower than Billericay at 85.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Billericay is violent-crime, while in Chigwell 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 Chigwell, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 83.3% in Billericay. There are 10 schools in Billericay and 4 in Chigwell.
Billericay School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 10 schools (8 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chigwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Billericay | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 10 | 4 |
| Primary | 8 | 3 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 433.8 Mbps in Chigwell and 419.2 Mbps in Billericay. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.9% of premises in Billericay and 97.9% in Chigwell. Gigabit availability stands at 80.9% in Billericay and 84.6% in Chigwell.
Chigwell is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (434 vs 419 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Billericay leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71 (C), while Chigwell averages 70.6 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,108 in Billericay and £1,152 in Chigwell. 67% of homes in Billericay have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63% in Chigwell.
Billericay has more energy-efficient housing — 67% reach band C or above, vs 63% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,649.5 in Billericay and £36,572 in Chigwell. The median age is 43.2 in Billericay and 41 in Chigwell. Owner-occupancy is 67.6% in Billericay versus 63.3% in Chigwell. Employment rates stand at 60.1% in Billericay and 59.2% in Chigwell.
| Indicator | Billericay | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,068 | 12,251 |
| Median Age | 43.2 | 41 |
| Median Household Income | £38,649.5 | £36,572 |
| Employment Rate | 60.1% | 59.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.6% | 63.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30% | 37.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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