Bourne vs Spalding
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Spalding wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Bourne has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bourne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bourne
£279,565
Spalding
£256,249
Crime Rate
Bourne
52.2
Spalding
60.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bourne
100.0%
Spalding
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bourne
444.5
Spalding
392
EPC Rating
Bourne
70.4
Spalding
70.4
Median Income
Bourne
£29,872
Spalding
£29,872
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsProperty in Bourne commands an average of £279,565, compared with £256,249 in Spalding – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Bourne is a flat at £138,418, while in Spalding it is a flat at £103,020.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 34% pricier in Bourne (£138,418 vs £103,020).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Spalding prices grew faster — 41% vs 38%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Bourne experience less crime overall, with a rate of 52.2 per 1,000 versus 60.2 per 1,000 in Spalding. The most common crime category in Bourne 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 MidlandsFamilies may prefer Bourne, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Spalding. There are 5 schools in Bourne and 10 in Spalding.
Bourne School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 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 | Bourne | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 10 |
| Primary | 3 | 7 |
| Secondary | 2 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 444.5 Mbps in Bourne and 392.0 Mbps in Spalding. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.7% of premises in Bourne and 91.6% in Spalding. Gigabit availability stands at 87.9% in Bourne and 75% in Spalding.
Bourne is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (445 vs 392 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Bourne, scoring 70.4 on average (band C) compared to 70.4 (band C) in Spalding. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,282 in Bourne and £1,282 in Spalding. 61.8% of homes in Bourne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.8% in Spalding.
Bourne has more energy-efficient housing — 61.8% reach band C or above, vs 61.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,872 in Bourne and £29,872 in Spalding. The median age is 46.6 in Bourne and 46.6 in Spalding. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Bourne and 57.5% in Spalding. Owner-occupancy is 68.9% in Bourne versus 68.9% in Spalding. Bourne has a population of 17,495 and Spalding has 30,552.
| Indicator | Bourne | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,495 | 30,552 |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 46.6 |
| Median Household Income | £29,872 | £29,872 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 57.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.9% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 25.1% | 25.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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