Brentwood vs Chelmsford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Chelmsford wins on house prices with a 31% gap. Brentwood has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brentwood edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brentwood
£611,158
Chelmsford
£467,228
Crime Rate
Brentwood
64.0
Chelmsford
69.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brentwood
100.0%
Chelmsford
93.3%
Avg Download Speed
Brentwood
371.6
Chelmsford
417.3
EPC Rating
Brentwood
69.5
Chelmsford
72.2
Median Income
Brentwood
£41,192
Chelmsford
£34,617
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Brentwood commands an average of £611,158, compared with £467,228 in Chelmsford – a difference of 31%. The most affordable entry point in Brentwood is a flat at £311,789, while in Chelmsford it is a flat at £224,709.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 54% pricier in Brentwood (£1,011,300 vs £655,735).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Brentwood prices grew faster — 24% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Brentwood experience less crime overall, with a rate of 64 per 1,000 versus 69.2 per 1,000 in Chelmsford. The most common crime category in Brentwood is violent-crime, while in Chelmsford 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 Brentwood, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 93.3% in Chelmsford. There are 18 schools in Brentwood and 34 in Chelmsford.
Brentwood School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 18 schools (13 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chelmsford School Inspection Breakdown
93.3% of 34 schools (26 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Brentwood | Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 18 | 34 |
| Primary | 13 | 26 |
| Secondary | 5 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 93.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 417.3 Mbps in Chelmsford and 371.6 Mbps in Brentwood. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.6% of premises in Brentwood and 96.2% in Chelmsford. Gigabit availability stands at 69.9% in Brentwood and 79.8% in Chelmsford.
Chelmsford is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (417 vs 372 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Chelmsford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Brentwood averages 69.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,151 in Brentwood and £1,205 in Chelmsford. 59.4% of homes in Brentwood have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.2% in Chelmsford.
Chelmsford has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 59.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £41,192 in Brentwood and £34,617 in Chelmsford. The median age is 43.6 in Brentwood and 44 in Chelmsford. Owner-occupancy is 70.7% in Brentwood versus 70.3% in Chelmsford. Employment rates stand at 59.9% in Brentwood and 61.5% in Chelmsford.
| Indicator | Brentwood | Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,339 | 110,612 |
| Median Age | 43.6 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £41,192 | £34,617 |
| Employment Rate | 59.9% | 61.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.7% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.5% | 35.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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