Braintree vs Writtle
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Braintree wins on house prices with a 30% gap. Braintree has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Braintree edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Braintree
£374,943
Writtle
£534,932
Crime Rate
Braintree
53.6
Writtle
69.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Braintree
83.3%
Writtle
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Braintree
443.2
Writtle
417.3
EPC Rating
Braintree
71.8
Writtle
72.2
Median Income
Braintree
£36,071
Writtle
£34,617
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £374,943, Braintree undercuts Writtle (£534,932) by around 30% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Braintree is a flat at £166,888, while in Writtle it is a flat at £333,062.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 50% pricier in Writtle (£333,062 vs £166,888).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Braintree prices grew faster — 33% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Braintree experience less crime overall, with a rate of 53.6 per 1,000 versus 69.3 per 1,000 in Writtle. The most common crime category in Braintree is violent-crime, while in Writtle 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 EnglandOf the 13 schools in Braintree, 83.3% are in the top two inspection bands. In Writtle, which has 3 schools, the figure is 66.7%.
Braintree School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 13 schools (10 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Writtle School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Braintree | Writtle |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 3 |
| Primary | 10 | 2 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Braintree averages 443.2 Mbps – ahead of Writtle's 417.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.3% of premises in Braintree and 96.2% in Writtle. Gigabit availability stands at 86.8% in Braintree and 79.8% in Writtle.
Braintree is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (443 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Writtle, scoring 72.2 on average (band C) compared to 71.8 (band C) in Braintree. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,238 in Braintree and £1,205 in Writtle. 66.4% of homes in Braintree have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.2% in Writtle.
Writtle 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 Writtle. The median age is 44.4 in Braintree and 44 in Writtle. Employment rates stand at 61.2% in Braintree and 61.5% in Writtle. Owner-occupancy is 69.2% in Braintree versus 70.3% in Writtle. Braintree has a population of 43,179 and Writtle has 4,703.
| Indicator | Braintree | Writtle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,179 | 4,703 |
| 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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