Buntingford vs Hitchin
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Hitchin is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 4% lower. Hitchin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hitchin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Buntingford
£560,341
Hitchin
£539,220
Crime Rate
Buntingford
51.5
Hitchin
50.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Buntingford
75.0%
Hitchin
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Buntingford
336.1
Hitchin
386.2
EPC Rating
Buntingford
72.4
Hitchin
73.1
Median Income
Buntingford
£39,158
Hitchin
£35,426
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Buntingford commands an average of £560,341, compared with £539,220 in Hitchin – a difference of 4%. The most affordable entry point in Buntingford is a flat at £240,429, while in Hitchin it is a flat at £249,133.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 16% pricier in Hitchin (£850,064 vs £717,411).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hitchin prices grew faster — 29% vs 25%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandHitchin has a crime rate of 50.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 3% lower than Buntingford at 51.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Buntingford is violent-crime, while in Hitchin 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 Hitchin, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 75% in Buntingford. There are 5 schools in Buntingford and 15 in Hitchin.
Buntingford School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hitchin School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 15 schools (12 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Buntingford | Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 15 |
| Primary | 3 | 12 |
| Secondary | 2 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 75% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 386.2 Mbps in Hitchin and 336.1 Mbps in Buntingford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.1% of premises in Buntingford and 95.4% in Hitchin. Gigabit availability stands at 62.7% in Buntingford and 73.3% in Hitchin.
Hitchin is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (386 vs 336 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hitchin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.1 (C), while Buntingford averages 72.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,149 in Buntingford and £1,044 in Hitchin. 71% of homes in Buntingford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.8% in Hitchin.
Hitchin has more energy-efficient housing — 72.8% reach band C or above, vs 71% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £39,158 in Buntingford and £35,426.3 in Hitchin. The median age is 43.7 in Buntingford and 42.5 in Hitchin. Owner-occupancy is 67% in Buntingford versus 64.3% in Hitchin. Employment rates stand at 62.8% in Buntingford and 63.3% in Hitchin.
| Indicator | Buntingford | Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,877 | 35,220 |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £39,158 | £35,426.3 |
| Employment Rate | 62.8% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 67% | 64.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40% | 34.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Buntingford and Hitchin?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Buntingford or Hitchin?
Is Buntingford or Hitchin safer?
Which has better schools, Buntingford or Hitchin?
Which has faster broadband, Buntingford or Hitchin?
Keep exploring