Colchester vs Earls Colne
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Colchester is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 7% lower. Earls Colne has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Earls Colne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Colchester
£371,691
Earls Colne
£399,189
Crime Rate
Colchester
80.5
Earls Colne
53.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Colchester
97.3%
Earls Colne
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Colchester
417.5
Earls Colne
417.3
EPC Rating
Colchester
70
Earls Colne
69.7
Median Income
Colchester
£30,648
Earls Colne
£32,465
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Earls Colne commands an average of £399,189, compared with £371,691 in Colchester – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Colchester is a flat at £174,465, while in Earls Colne it is a flat at £175,250.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 8% pricier in Earls Colne (£558,923 vs £514,316).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Earls Colne prices grew faster — 29% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandEarls Colne has a crime rate of 53.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 49% lower than Colchester at 80.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Colchester is violent-crime, while in Earls Colne 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 Earls Colne, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 97.3% in Colchester. There are 47 schools in Colchester and 1 in Earls Colne.
Colchester School Inspection Breakdown
97.3% of 47 schools (37 primary, 10 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Earls Colne School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Colchester | Earls Colne |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 47 | 1 |
| Primary | 37 | 1 |
| Secondary | 10 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 97.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 417.5 Mbps in Colchester and 417.3 Mbps in Earls Colne. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Colchester and 89.8% in Earls Colne. Gigabit availability stands at 81% in Colchester and 81.8% in Earls Colne.
Colchester is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (418 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Colchester leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (D), while Earls Colne averages 69.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,178 in Colchester and £1,252 in Earls Colne. 59.2% of homes in Colchester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.2% in Earls Colne.
Earls Colne has more energy-efficient housing — 60.2% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,465.3 in Earls Colne and £30,648 in Colchester. The median age is 46 in Colchester and 44.9 in Earls Colne. Owner-occupancy is 68% in Colchester versus 67.8% in Earls Colne. Employment rates stand at 52.8% in Colchester and 58.2% in Earls Colne.
| Indicator | Colchester | Earls Colne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 130,396 | 3,360 |
| Median Age | 46 | 44.9 |
| Median Household Income | £30,648 | £32,465.3 |
| Employment Rate | 52.8% | 58.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 68% | 67.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.1% | 29.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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