Broomfield vs Chelmsford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Broomfield offers lower property prices by roughly 13%. Broomfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Broomfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Broomfield
£404,519
Chelmsford
£467,228
Crime Rate
Broomfield
69.0
Chelmsford
69.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Broomfield
100.0%
Chelmsford
93.3%
Avg Download Speed
Broomfield
417.3
Chelmsford
417.3
EPC Rating
Broomfield
72.2
Chelmsford
72.2
Median Income
Broomfield
£34,617
Chelmsford
£34,617
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Broomfield is £404,519, which is 13% less than Chelmsford at £467,228. The most affordable entry point in Broomfield is a flat at £232,362, while in Chelmsford it is a flat at £224,709.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 16% pricier in Chelmsford (£452,036 vs £380,639).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chelmsford prices grew faster — 22% vs 2%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 69 offences per 1,000 people, Broomfield is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Chelmsford's 69.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Broomfield 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 EnglandBroomfield has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 93.3% in Chelmsford. Broomfield has 2 schools in total, while Chelmsford has 34.
Broomfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 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 | Broomfield | Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 34 |
| Primary | 1 | 26 |
| Secondary | 1 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 93.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broomfield offers faster average downloads at 417.3 Mbps, compared to 417.3 Mbps in Chelmsford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Broomfield and 96.2% in Chelmsford. Gigabit availability stands at 79.8% in Broomfield and 79.8% in Chelmsford.
Broomfield is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (417 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Broomfield are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 72.2 (band C) versus 72.2 (band C) in Chelmsford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,205 in Broomfield and £1,205 in Chelmsford. 68.2% of homes in Broomfield have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.2% in Chelmsford.
Broomfield has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 68.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,617 in Broomfield and £34,617 in Chelmsford. The median age is 44 in Broomfield and 44 in Chelmsford. Employment rates stand at 61.5% in Broomfield and 61.5% in Chelmsford. Owner-occupancy is 70.3% in Broomfield versus 70.3% in Chelmsford.
| Indicator | Broomfield | Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,491 | 110,612 |
| Median Age | 44 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £34,617 | £34,617 |
| Employment Rate | 61.5% | 61.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.3% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.2% | 35.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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