Boston vs Heckington
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Boston wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Heckington has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Heckington edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Boston
£241,070
Heckington
£263,859
Crime Rate
Boston
86.7
Heckington
38.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Boston
90.9%
Heckington
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Boston
417.3
Heckington
378.2
EPC Rating
Boston
70.6
Heckington
69.6
Median Income
Boston
£25,368
Heckington
£30,006
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsProperty in Heckington commands an average of £263,859, compared with £241,070 in Boston – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Boston is a flat at £90,724, while in Heckington it is a terraced at £160,058.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 19% pricier in Heckington (£208,674 vs £169,903).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Heckington prices grew faster — 24% vs -34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Heckington experience less crime overall, with a rate of 38.9 per 1,000 versus 86.7 per 1,000 in Boston. The most common crime category in Boston is violent-crime, while in Heckington 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 MidlandsFamilies may prefer Heckington, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90.9% in Boston. There are 14 schools in Boston and 1 in Heckington.
Boston School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 14 schools (11 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Heckington School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Boston | Heckington |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 14 | 1 |
| Primary | 11 | 1 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 417.3 Mbps in Boston and 378.2 Mbps in Heckington. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.9% of premises in Boston and 90.8% in Heckington. Gigabit availability stands at 80.5% in Boston and 72.1% in Heckington.
Boston is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (417 vs 378 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Boston, scoring 70.6 on average (band C) compared to 69.6 (band C) in Heckington. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,218 in Boston and £1,340 in Heckington. 60.1% of homes in Boston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.8% in Heckington.
Boston has more energy-efficient housing — 60.1% reach band C or above, vs 58.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,005.5 in Heckington and £25,368 in Boston. The median age is 44.3 in Boston and 46.3 in Heckington. Employment rates stand at 58.4% in Boston and 57.9% in Heckington. Owner-occupancy is 58.9% in Boston versus 70.5% in Heckington. Boston has a population of 45,027 and Heckington has 3,316.
| Indicator | Boston | Heckington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,027 | 3,316 |
| Median Age | 44.3 | 46.3 |
| Median Household Income | £25,368 | £30,005.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.4% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.9% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Boston and Heckington?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Boston or Heckington?
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