Dunstable vs Hitchin
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Dunstable is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 29% lower. Dunstable has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hitchin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dunstable
£381,810
Hitchin
£539,220
Crime Rate
Dunstable
48.7
Hitchin
50.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dunstable
90.0%
Hitchin
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dunstable
367.6
Hitchin
386.2
EPC Rating
Dunstable
71.9
Hitchin
73.1
Median Income
Dunstable
£34,575
Hitchin
£35,426
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Hitchin commands an average of £539,220, compared with £381,810 in Dunstable – a difference of 29%. The most affordable entry point in Dunstable is a flat at £172,345, while in Hitchin it is a flat at £249,133.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 35% pricier in Hitchin (£584,921 vs £378,297).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dunstable prices grew faster — 45% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandDunstable has a crime rate of 48.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 3% lower than Hitchin at 50.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dunstable is violent-crime, while in Hitchin 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 Hitchin, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90% in Dunstable. There are 13 schools in Dunstable and 15 in Hitchin.
Dunstable School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 13 schools (9 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hitchin School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 15 schools (12 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dunstable | Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 15 |
| Primary | 9 | 12 |
| Secondary | 4 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 90% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 386.2 Mbps in Hitchin and 367.6 Mbps in Dunstable. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Dunstable and 95.4% in Hitchin. Gigabit availability stands at 66.9% in Dunstable and 73.3% in Hitchin.
Hitchin is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (386 vs 368 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hitchin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.1 (C), while Dunstable averages 71.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,145 in Dunstable and £1,044 in Hitchin. 69.3% of homes in Dunstable have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.8% in Hitchin.
Hitchin has more energy-efficient housing — 72.8% reach band C or above, vs 69.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,426.3 in Hitchin and £34,574.7 in Dunstable. The median age is 42.8 in Dunstable and 42.5 in Hitchin. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Dunstable versus 64.3% in Hitchin. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Dunstable and 63.3% in Hitchin.
| Indicator | Dunstable | Hitchin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,498 | 35,220 |
| Median Age | 42.8 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £34,574.7 | £35,426.3 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 64.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 34.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dunstable and Hitchin?
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