Bourne vs Peterborough
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Bourne is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 5% lower. Bourne has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bourne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bourne
£279,565
Peterborough
£295,680
Crime Rate
Bourne
52.2
Peterborough
104.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bourne
100.0%
Peterborough
92.3%
Avg Download Speed
Bourne
444.5
Peterborough
470.4
EPC Rating
Bourne
70.4
Peterborough
72.4
Median Income
Bourne
£29,872
Peterborough
£31,362
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £279,565, Bourne undercuts Peterborough (£295,680) by around 5% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bourne is a flat at £138,418, while in Peterborough it is a flat at £124,267.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Peterborough (£421,685 vs £347,595).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bourne prices grew faster — 38% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsBourne has a crime rate of 52.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 101% lower than Peterborough at 104.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bourne is violent-crime, while in Peterborough 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 5 schools in Bourne, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Peterborough, which has 65 schools, the figure is 92.3%.
Bourne School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Peterborough School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 65 schools (51 primary, 14 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bourne | Peterborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 65 |
| Primary | 3 | 51 |
| Secondary | 2 | 14 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 92.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Peterborough averages 470.4 Mbps – ahead of Bourne's 444.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.7% of premises in Bourne and 98.9% in Peterborough. Gigabit availability stands at 87.9% in Bourne and 92.9% in Peterborough.
Peterborough is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (470 vs 445 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Peterborough leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.4 (C), while Bourne averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,282 in Bourne and £1,118 in Peterborough. 61.8% of homes in Bourne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 70% in Peterborough.
Peterborough has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 61.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,361.5 in Peterborough and £29,872 in Bourne. The median age is 46.6 in Bourne and 41.6 in Peterborough. Owner-occupancy is 68.9% in Bourne versus 62.2% in Peterborough. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Bourne and 61% in Peterborough.
| Indicator | Bourne | Peterborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,495 | 190,592 |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 41.6 |
| Median Household Income | £29,872 | £31,361.5 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 61% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.9% | 62.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 25.1% | 29.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bourne and Peterborough?
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