Boston vs Spalding
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Boston wins on house prices with a 6% gap. Spalding has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Spalding edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Boston
£241,070
Spalding
£256,249
Crime Rate
Boston
86.7
Spalding
60.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Boston
90.9%
Spalding
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Boston
417.3
Spalding
392
EPC Rating
Boston
70.6
Spalding
70.4
Median Income
Boston
£25,368
Spalding
£29,872
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £241,070, Boston undercuts Spalding (£256,249) by around 6% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Boston is a flat at £90,724, while in Spalding it is a flat at £103,020.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 16% pricier in Spalding (£156,502 vs £131,049).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Spalding prices grew faster — 41% vs -34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Spalding experience less crime overall, with a rate of 60.2 per 1,000 versus 86.7 per 1,000 in Boston. The most common crime category in Boston is violent-crime, while in Spalding 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 Spalding, which has 10 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.
Spalding School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 10 schools (7 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Boston | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 14 | 10 |
| Primary | 11 | 7 |
| Secondary | 3 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Boston averages 417.3 Mbps – ahead of Spalding's 392.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.9% of premises in Boston and 91.6% in Spalding. Gigabit availability stands at 80.5% in Boston and 75% in Spalding.
Boston is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (417 vs 392 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Boston leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.6 (C), while Spalding averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,218 in Boston and £1,282 in Spalding. 60.1% of homes in Boston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.8% in Spalding.
Spalding has more energy-efficient housing — 61.8% reach band C or above, vs 60.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,872 in Spalding and £25,368 in Boston. The median age is 44.3 in Boston and 46.6 in Spalding. Owner-occupancy is 58.9% in Boston versus 68.9% in Spalding. Employment rates stand at 58.4% in Boston and 57.5% in Spalding.
| Indicator | Boston | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,027 | 30,552 |
| Median Age | 44.3 | 46.6 |
| Median Household Income | £25,368 | £29,872 |
| Employment Rate | 58.4% | 57.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.9% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19% | 25.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Boston and Spalding?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Boston or Spalding?
Is Boston or Spalding safer?
Which has better schools, Boston or Spalding?
Which has faster broadband, Boston or Spalding?
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