Bovingdon vs Chesham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Chesham wins on house prices with a 18% gap. Chesham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bovingdon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bovingdon
£600,951
Chesham
£509,520
Crime Rate
Bovingdon
68.7
Chesham
59.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bovingdon
100.0%
Chesham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bovingdon
425.5
Chesham
395.3
EPC Rating
Bovingdon
70.5
Chesham
70.8
Median Income
Bovingdon
£37,945
Chesham
£34,004
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Bovingdon commands an average of £600,951, compared with £509,520 in Chesham – a difference of 18%. The most affordable entry point in Bovingdon is a flat at £240,150, while in Chesham it is a flat at £242,071.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 11% pricier in Bovingdon (£571,594 vs £515,892).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chesham prices grew faster — 28% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Chesham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 59.3 per 1,000 versus 68.7 per 1,000 in Bovingdon. The most common crime category in Bovingdon is violent-crime, while in Chesham 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 of EnglandFamilies may prefer Bovingdon, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Chesham. There are 1 schools in Bovingdon and 8 in Chesham.
Bovingdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chesham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bovingdon | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 8 |
| Primary | 1 | 6 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 425.5 Mbps in Bovingdon and 395.3 Mbps in Chesham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.5% of premises in Bovingdon and 94.8% in Chesham. Gigabit availability stands at 81.8% in Bovingdon and 75.5% in Chesham.
Bovingdon is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (426 vs 395 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Chesham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.8 (C), while Bovingdon averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,253 in Bovingdon and £1,176 in Chesham. 64.7% of homes in Bovingdon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.4% in Chesham.
Chesham has more energy-efficient housing — 68.4% reach band C or above, vs 64.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,944.7 in Bovingdon and £34,004 in Chesham. The median age is 42.7 in Bovingdon and 43 in Chesham. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Bovingdon versus 67% in Chesham. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Bovingdon and 62% in Chesham.
| Indicator | Bovingdon | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,313 | 23,691 |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 43 |
| Median Household Income | £37,944.7 | £34,004 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 62% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 44.5% | 39.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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