Brightlingsea vs Mayland
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Brightlingsea wins on house prices with a 41% gap. Mayland has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brightlingsea edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brightlingsea
£274,024
Mayland
£461,522
Crime Rate
Brightlingsea
78.9
Mayland
43.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brightlingsea
100.0%
Mayland
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Brightlingsea
361.6
Mayland
348.8
EPC Rating
Brightlingsea
69.7
Mayland
71.3
Median Income
Brightlingsea
£30,432
Mayland
£34,276
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £274,024, Brightlingsea undercuts Mayland (£461,522) by around 41% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Brightlingsea is a flat at £173,471, while in Mayland it is a flat at £147,250.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 43% pricier in Mayland (£400,000 vs £226,204).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Mayland prices grew faster — 45% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Mayland experience less crime overall, with a rate of 43.3 per 1,000 versus 78.9 per 1,000 in Brightlingsea. The most common crime category in Brightlingsea is violent-crime, while in Mayland 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 2 schools in Brightlingsea, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Mayland, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Brightlingsea School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Mayland School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Brightlingsea | Mayland |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Brightlingsea averages 361.6 Mbps – ahead of Mayland's 348.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.9% of premises in Brightlingsea and 93% in Mayland. Gigabit availability stands at 67.7% in Brightlingsea and 63.5% in Mayland.
Brightlingsea is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (362 vs 349 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Mayland leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.3 (C), while Brightlingsea averages 69.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,242 in Brightlingsea and £1,219 in Mayland. 58.5% of homes in Brightlingsea have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.8% in Mayland.
Mayland has more energy-efficient housing — 64.8% reach band C or above, vs 58.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,275.8 in Mayland and £30,432 in Brightlingsea. The median age is 46.9 in Brightlingsea and 45 in Mayland. Owner-occupancy is 69% in Brightlingsea versus 71.2% in Mayland. Employment rates stand at 53.7% in Brightlingsea and 59.9% in Mayland.
| Indicator | Brightlingsea | Mayland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,678 | 3,740 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 45 |
| Median Household Income | £30,432 | £34,275.8 |
| Employment Rate | 53.7% | 59.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 69% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.2% | 30.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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