Chesterfield vs Clay Cross
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Clay Cross offers lower property prices by roughly 14%. Clay Cross has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chesterfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chesterfield
£246,172
Clay Cross
£215,091
Crime Rate
Chesterfield
98.7
Clay Cross
52.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chesterfield
100.0%
Clay Cross
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Chesterfield
424.4
Clay Cross
311.8
EPC Rating
Chesterfield
69.4
Clay Cross
70.2
Median Income
Chesterfield
£29,757
Clay Cross
£28,862
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsThe average house price in Clay Cross is £215,091, which is 14% less than Chesterfield at £246,172. The most affordable entry point in Chesterfield is a flat at £125,135, while in Clay Cross it is a flat at £98,290.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 27% pricier in Chesterfield (£125,135 vs £98,290).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Clay Cross prices grew faster — 5% vs 1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsCrime is lower in Clay Cross (52.2 per 1,000) compared to Chesterfield (98.7 per 1,000), a 89% difference. The most common crime category in Chesterfield is violent-crime, while in Clay Cross 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 MidlandsChesterfield has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Clay Cross. Chesterfield has 29 schools in total, while Clay Cross has 2.
Chesterfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 29 schools (23 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Clay Cross School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Clay Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 29 | 2 |
| Primary | 23 | 2 |
| Secondary | 6 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Chesterfield offers faster average downloads at 424.4 Mbps, compared to 311.8 Mbps in Clay Cross. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.6% of premises in Chesterfield and 86.5% in Clay Cross. Gigabit availability stands at 82.2% in Chesterfield and 57.2% in Clay Cross.
Chesterfield is the faster of the two by 36% on average download speed (424 vs 312 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Clay Cross are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 70.2 (band C) versus 69.4 (band C) in Chesterfield. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,141 in Chesterfield and £1,042 in Clay Cross. 56.2% of homes in Chesterfield have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.2% in Clay Cross.
Clay Cross has more energy-efficient housing — 63.2% reach band C or above, vs 56.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,756.5 in Chesterfield and £28,862 in Clay Cross. The median age is 46.4 in Chesterfield and 45.8 in Clay Cross. Employment rates stand at 55% in Chesterfield and 56% in Clay Cross. Owner-occupancy is 66.5% in Chesterfield versus 68.2% in Clay Cross.
| Indicator | Chesterfield | Clay Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,394 | 8,915 |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 45.8 |
| Median Household Income | £29,756.5 | £28,862 |
| Employment Rate | 55% | 56% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.5% | 68.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.2% | 24.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Chesterfield and Clay Cross?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Chesterfield or Clay Cross?
Is Chesterfield or Clay Cross safer?
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