Braintree vs Colchester
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Colchester is about 1% cheaper on average. Braintree has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Colchester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Braintree
£374,943
Colchester
£371,691
Crime Rate
Braintree
53.6
Colchester
80.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Braintree
83.3%
Colchester
97.3%
Avg Download Speed
Braintree
443.2
Colchester
417.5
EPC Rating
Braintree
71.8
Colchester
70
Median Income
Braintree
£36,071
Colchester
£30,648
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandBuyers will find Colchester more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £371,691 versus £374,943 in Braintree. The most affordable entry point in Braintree is a flat at £166,888, while in Colchester it is a flat at £174,465.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 4% pricier in Braintree (£291,143 vs £278,764).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Braintree prices grew faster — 33% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandCrime is lower in Braintree (53.6 per 1,000) compared to Colchester (80.5 per 1,000), a 50% difference. The most common crime category in Braintree is violent-crime, while in Colchester 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 EnglandSchool quality favours Colchester: 97.3% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 83.3% in Braintree.
Braintree School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Colchester School Inspection Breakdown
97.3% of 47 schools (37 primary, 10 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Braintree | Colchester |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 47 |
| Primary | 10 | 37 |
| Secondary | 3 | 10 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 97.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Braintree enjoy 443.2 Mbps on average, while Colchester lags behind at 417.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.3% of premises in Braintree and 96% in Colchester. Gigabit availability stands at 86.8% in Braintree and 81% in Colchester.
Braintree is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (443 vs 418 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Braintree is band C (score 71.8), ahead of Colchester's band D (score 70). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,238 in Braintree and £1,178 in Colchester. 66.4% of homes in Braintree have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.2% in Colchester.
Braintree has more energy-efficient housing — 66.4% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Braintree has a population of 43,179 while Colchester has 130,396. Median household income is £36,071 in Braintree and £30,648 in Colchester. The median age is 44.4 in Braintree and 46 in Colchester. Employment rates stand at 61.2% in Braintree and 52.8% in Colchester.
| Indicator | Braintree | Colchester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,179 | 130,396 |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 46 |
| Median Household Income | £36,071 | £30,648 |
| Employment Rate | 61.2% | 52.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.2% | 68% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.2% | 26.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Braintree and Colchester?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Braintree or Colchester?
Is Braintree or Colchester safer?
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