Cranfield vs Irchester
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Irchester wins on house prices with a 35% gap. Cranfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cranfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cranfield
£385,169
Irchester
£285,422
Crime Rate
Cranfield
48.9
Irchester
75.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cranfield
100.0%
Irchester
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cranfield
324.9
Irchester
451.3
EPC Rating
Cranfield
73.4
Irchester
72.5
Median Income
Cranfield
£34,685
Irchester
£32,409
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Cranfield commands an average of £385,169, compared with £285,422 in Irchester – a difference of 35%. The most affordable entry point in Cranfield is a flat at £121,583, while in Irchester it is a flat at £125,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 32% pricier in Cranfield (£330,885 vs £250,955).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Irchester prices grew faster — 65% vs -10%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Cranfield experience less crime overall, with a rate of 48.9 per 1,000 versus 75.5 per 1,000 in Irchester. The most common crime category in Cranfield is violent-crime, while in Irchester 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 Cranfield, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Irchester. There are 2 schools in Cranfield and 1 in Irchester.
Cranfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Irchester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cranfield | Irchester |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 451.3 Mbps in Irchester and 324.9 Mbps in Cranfield. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.2% of premises in Cranfield and 96.9% in Irchester. Gigabit availability stands at 58.9% in Cranfield and 88.6% in Irchester.
Irchester is the faster of the two by 39% on average download speed (451 vs 325 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cranfield leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.4 (C), while Irchester averages 72.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,067 in Cranfield and £1,096 in Irchester. 73% of homes in Cranfield have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.9% in Irchester.
Cranfield has more energy-efficient housing — 73% reach band C or above, vs 69.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,685.3 in Cranfield and £32,409 in Irchester. The median age is 41 in Cranfield and 42 in Irchester. Owner-occupancy is 62.9% in Cranfield versus 63.9% in Irchester. Employment rates stand at 63% in Cranfield and 61.5% in Irchester.
| Indicator | Cranfield | Irchester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,053 | 4,543 |
| Median Age | 41 | 42 |
| Median Household Income | £34,685.3 | £32,409 |
| Employment Rate | 63% | 61.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.9% | 63.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.6% | 30.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cranfield and Irchester?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cranfield or Irchester?
Is Cranfield or Irchester safer?
Which has better schools, Cranfield or Irchester?
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