Chelmsford vs Chipping Ongar
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Chelmsford wins on house prices with a 18% gap. Chipping Ongar has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chipping Ongar edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chelmsford
£467,228
Chipping Ongar
£568,739
Crime Rate
Chelmsford
69.2
Chipping Ongar
64.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chelmsford
93.3%
Chipping Ongar
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Chelmsford
417.3
Chipping Ongar
445.8
EPC Rating
Chelmsford
72.2
Chipping Ongar
71.2
Median Income
Chelmsford
£34,617
Chipping Ongar
£37,208
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £467,228, Chelmsford undercuts Chipping Ongar (£568,739) by around 18% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Chelmsford is a flat at £224,709, while in Chipping Ongar it is a flat at £237,182.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 23% pricier in Chipping Ongar (£855,624 vs £655,735).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chelmsford prices grew faster — 22% vs 13%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Chipping Ongar experience less crime overall, with a rate of 64.3 per 1,000 versus 69.2 per 1,000 in Chelmsford. The most common crime category in Chelmsford is violent-crime, while in Chipping Ongar 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 34 schools in Chelmsford, 93.3% are in the top two inspection bands. In Chipping Ongar, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Chelmsford School Inspection Breakdown
93.3% of 34 schools (26 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chipping Ongar School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Chelmsford | Chipping Ongar |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 34 | 1 |
| Primary | 26 | 1 |
| Secondary | 8 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 93.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Chipping Ongar averages 445.8 Mbps – ahead of Chelmsford's 417.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Chelmsford and 91.6% in Chipping Ongar. Gigabit availability stands at 79.8% in Chelmsford and 88.3% in Chipping Ongar.
Chipping Ongar is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (446 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Chelmsford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Chipping Ongar averages 71.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,205 in Chelmsford and £1,220 in Chipping Ongar. 68.2% of homes in Chelmsford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.4% in Chipping Ongar.
Chelmsford has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 65.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,207.5 in Chipping Ongar and £34,617 in Chelmsford. The median age is 44 in Chelmsford and 44.3 in Chipping Ongar. Owner-occupancy is 70.3% in Chelmsford versus 70.5% in Chipping Ongar. Employment rates stand at 61.5% in Chelmsford and 60.8% in Chipping Ongar.
| Indicator | Chelmsford | Chipping Ongar |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,612 | 3,922 |
| Median Age | 44 | 44.3 |
| Median Household Income | £34,617 | £37,207.5 |
| Employment Rate | 61.5% | 60.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.3% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.2% | 34.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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