Braintree vs Broomfield
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Braintree wins on house prices with a 7% gap. Braintree has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Broomfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Braintree
£374,943
Broomfield
£404,519
Crime Rate
Braintree
53.6
Broomfield
69.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Braintree
83.3%
Broomfield
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Braintree
443.2
Broomfield
417.3
EPC Rating
Braintree
71.8
Broomfield
72.2
Median Income
Braintree
£36,071
Broomfield
£34,617
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Broomfield commands an average of £404,519, compared with £374,943 in Braintree – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Braintree is a flat at £166,888, while in Broomfield it is a flat at £232,362.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 28% pricier in Broomfield (£232,362 vs £166,888).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Braintree prices grew faster — 33% vs 2%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Braintree experience less crime overall, with a rate of 53.6 per 1,000 versus 69 per 1,000 in Broomfield. The most common crime category in Braintree is violent-crime, while in Broomfield 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 Broomfield, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 83.3% in Braintree. There are 13 schools in Braintree and 2 in Broomfield.
Braintree School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Broomfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Braintree | Broomfield |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 2 |
| Primary | 10 | 1 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 443.2 Mbps in Braintree and 417.3 Mbps in Broomfield. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.3% of premises in Braintree and 96.2% in Broomfield. Gigabit availability stands at 86.8% in Braintree and 79.8% in Broomfield.
Braintree is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (443 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Broomfield leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Braintree averages 71.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,238 in Braintree and £1,205 in Broomfield. 66.4% of homes in Braintree have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.2% in Broomfield.
Broomfield has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 66.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,071 in Braintree and £34,617 in Broomfield. The median age is 44.4 in Braintree and 44 in Broomfield. Owner-occupancy is 69.2% in Braintree versus 70.3% in Broomfield. Employment rates stand at 61.2% in Braintree and 61.5% in Broomfield.
| Indicator | Braintree | Broomfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,179 | 3,491 |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £36,071 | £34,617 |
| Employment Rate | 61.2% | 61.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.2% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.2% | 35.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Is Braintree or Broomfield safer?
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