Boston vs Holbeach
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Holbeach wins on house prices with a 7% gap. Holbeach has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Holbeach edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Boston
£241,070
Holbeach
£225,035
Crime Rate
Boston
86.7
Holbeach
60.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Boston
90.9%
Holbeach
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Boston
417.3
Holbeach
287.5
EPC Rating
Boston
70.6
Holbeach
71.7
Median Income
Boston
£25,368
Holbeach
£29,330
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £225,035, Holbeach undercuts Boston (£241,070) by around 7% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Boston is a flat at £90,724, while in Holbeach it is a flat at £85,080.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 7% pricier in Holbeach (£140,377 vs £131,049).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Holbeach prices grew faster — 36% vs -34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Holbeach experience less crime overall, with a rate of 60.1 per 1,000 versus 86.7 per 1,000 in Boston. The most common crime category in Boston is violent-crime, while in Holbeach 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 MidlandsOf the 14 schools in Boston, 90.9% are in the top two inspection bands. In Holbeach, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Boston School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 14 schools (11 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Holbeach School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Boston | Holbeach |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 14 | 3 |
| Primary | 11 | 2 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Boston averages 417.3 Mbps – ahead of Holbeach's 287.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.9% of premises in Boston and 79.8% in Holbeach. Gigabit availability stands at 80.5% in Boston and 52.4% in Holbeach.
Boston is the faster of the two by 45% on average download speed (417 vs 288 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Holbeach, scoring 71.7 on average (band C) compared to 70.6 (band C) in Boston. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,218 in Boston and £1,178 in Holbeach. 60.1% of homes in Boston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.7% in Holbeach.
Holbeach has more energy-efficient housing — 63.7% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,330.3 in Holbeach and £25,368 in Boston. The median age is 44.3 in Boston and 45.7 in Holbeach. Employment rates stand at 58.4% in Boston and 57.1% in Holbeach. Owner-occupancy is 58.9% in Boston versus 65.1% in Holbeach. Boston has a population of 45,027 and Holbeach has 8,529.
| Indicator | Boston | Holbeach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,027 | 8,529 |
| Median Age | 44.3 | 45.7 |
| Median Household Income | £25,368 | £29,330.3 |
| Employment Rate | 58.4% | 57.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.9% | 65.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19% | 19.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Boston and Holbeach?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Boston or Holbeach?
Is Boston or Holbeach safer?
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