Buntingford vs Ware
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Ware wins on house prices with a 13% gap. Buntingford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ware edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Buntingford
£560,341
Ware
£497,581
Crime Rate
Buntingford
51.5
Ware
51.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Buntingford
75.0%
Ware
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Buntingford
336.1
Ware
374.1
EPC Rating
Buntingford
72.4
Ware
73.5
Median Income
Buntingford
£39,158
Ware
£39,455
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £497,581, Ware undercuts Buntingford (£560,341) by around 13% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Buntingford is a flat at £240,429, while in Ware it is a flat at £243,295.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 13% pricier in Ware (£824,956 vs £717,411).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Buntingford prices grew faster — 25% vs 11%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Buntingford experience less crime overall, with a rate of 51.5 per 1,000 versus 51.8 per 1,000 in Ware. The most common crime category in Buntingford is violent-crime, while in Ware 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 5 schools in Buntingford, 75% are in the top two inspection bands. In Ware, which has 9 schools, the figure is 100%.
Buntingford School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ware School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Buntingford | Ware |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 9 |
| Primary | 3 | 7 |
| Secondary | 2 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 75% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ware averages 374.1 Mbps – ahead of Buntingford's 336.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.1% of premises in Buntingford and 91.7% in Ware. Gigabit availability stands at 62.7% in Buntingford and 69.5% in Ware.
Ware is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (374 vs 336 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Ware, scoring 73.5 on average (band C) compared to 72.4 (band C) in Buntingford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,149 in Buntingford and £1,162 in Ware. 71% of homes in Buntingford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.4% in Ware.
Ware has more energy-efficient housing — 71.4% reach band C or above, vs 71% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £39,455 in Ware and £39,158 in Buntingford. The median age is 43.7 in Buntingford and 43.3 in Ware. Employment rates stand at 62.8% in Buntingford and 63.2% in Ware. Owner-occupancy is 67% in Buntingford versus 69.3% in Ware. Buntingford has a population of 7,877 and Ware has 19,631.
| Indicator | Buntingford | Ware |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,877 | 19,631 |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 43.3 |
| Median Household Income | £39,158 | £39,455 |
| Employment Rate | 62.8% | 63.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 67% | 69.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40% | 38.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Buntingford and Ware?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Buntingford or Ware?
Is Buntingford or Ware safer?
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