Colchester vs Halstead (Braintree)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.7 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Colchester wins on house prices with a 6% gap. Halstead (braintree) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Halstead (braintree) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Colchester
£371,691
Halstead (Braintree)
£395,095
Crime Rate
Colchester
80.5
Halstead (Braintree)
53.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Colchester
97.3%
Halstead (Braintree)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Colchester
417.5
Halstead (Braintree)
393.4
EPC Rating
Colchester
70
Halstead (Braintree)
69.9
Median Income
Colchester
£30,648
Halstead (Braintree)
£35,932
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Halstead (braintree) commands an average of £395,095, compared with £371,691 in Colchester – a difference of 6%. The most affordable entry point in Colchester is a flat at £174,465, while in Halstead (braintree) it is a flat at £166,726.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 8% pricier in Halstead (braintree) (£558,265 vs £514,316).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Halstead (braintree) prices grew faster — 31% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Halstead (braintree) experience less crime overall, with a rate of 53.6 per 1,000 versus 80.5 per 1,000 in Colchester. The most common crime category in Colchester is violent-crime, while in Halstead (braintree) 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 Halstead (braintree), where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 97.3% in Colchester. There are 47 schools in Colchester and 4 in Halstead (braintree).
Colchester School Inspection Breakdown
97.3% of 47 schools (37 primary, 10 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Halstead (Braintree) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Colchester | Halstead (Braintree) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 47 | 4 |
| Primary | 37 | 3 |
| Secondary | 10 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 97.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 417.5 Mbps in Colchester and 393.4 Mbps in Halstead (braintree). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Colchester and 95.6% in Halstead (braintree). Gigabit availability stands at 81% in Colchester and 75.1% in Halstead (braintree).
Colchester is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (418 vs 393 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Colchester, scoring 70 on average (band D) compared to 69.9 (band C) in Halstead (braintree). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,178 in Colchester and £1,235 in Halstead (braintree). 59.2% of homes in Colchester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.6% in Halstead (braintree).
Halstead (braintree) has more energy-efficient housing — 61.6% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,932 in Halstead (braintree) and £30,648 in Colchester. The median age is 46 in Colchester and 44.2 in Halstead (braintree). Employment rates stand at 52.8% in Colchester and 60.3% in Halstead (braintree). Owner-occupancy is 68% in Colchester versus 67.8% in Halstead (braintree). Colchester has a population of 130,396 and Halstead (braintree) has 13,902.
| Indicator | Colchester | Halstead (Braintree) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 130,396 | 13,902 |
| Median Age | 46 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,648 | £35,932 |
| Employment Rate | 52.8% | 60.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 68% | 67.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.1% | 25.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Colchester and Halstead (braintree)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Colchester or Halstead (braintree)?
Is Colchester or Halstead (braintree) safer?
Which has better schools, Colchester or Halstead (braintree)?
Which has faster broadband, Colchester or Halstead (braintree)?
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