Braintree vs Danbury
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Braintree wins on house prices with a 38% gap. Braintree has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Danbury edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Braintree
£374,943
Danbury
£602,125
Crime Rate
Braintree
53.6
Danbury
69.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Braintree
83.3%
Danbury
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Braintree
443.2
Danbury
348.8
EPC Rating
Braintree
71.8
Danbury
71.3
Median Income
Braintree
£36,071
Danbury
£34,276
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Danbury commands an average of £602,125, compared with £374,943 in Braintree – a difference of 38%. The most affordable entry point in Braintree is a flat at £166,888, while in Danbury it is a flat at £340,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 51% pricier in Danbury (£340,000 vs £166,888).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Braintree prices grew faster — 33% vs 14%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Braintree experience less crime overall, with a rate of 53.6 per 1,000 versus 69.1 per 1,000 in Danbury. The most common crime category in Braintree is violent-crime, while in Danbury 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 Danbury, 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 Danbury.
Braintree School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Danbury School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Braintree | Danbury |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 2 |
| Primary | 10 | 2 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 443.2 Mbps in Braintree and 348.8 Mbps in Danbury. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.3% of premises in Braintree and 93% in Danbury. Gigabit availability stands at 86.8% in Braintree and 63.5% in Danbury.
Braintree is the faster of the two by 27% on average download speed (443 vs 349 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Braintree leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Danbury averages 71.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,238 in Braintree and £1,219 in Danbury. 66.4% of homes in Braintree have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.8% in Danbury.
Braintree has more energy-efficient housing — 66.4% reach band C or above, vs 64.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,071 in Braintree and £34,275.8 in Danbury. The median age is 44.4 in Braintree and 45 in Danbury. Owner-occupancy is 69.2% in Braintree versus 71.2% in Danbury. Employment rates stand at 61.2% in Braintree and 59.9% in Danbury.
| Indicator | Braintree | Danbury |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,179 | 6,196 |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 45 |
| Median Household Income | £36,071 | £34,275.8 |
| Employment Rate | 61.2% | 59.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.2% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.2% | 30.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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