Earls Colne vs Halstead (Braintree)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Halstead (braintree) is about 1% cheaper on average. Halstead (braintree) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Earls Colne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Earls Colne
£399,189
Halstead (Braintree)
£395,095
Crime Rate
Earls Colne
53.9
Halstead (Braintree)
53.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Earls Colne
100.0%
Halstead (Braintree)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Earls Colne
417.3
Halstead (Braintree)
393.4
EPC Rating
Earls Colne
69.7
Halstead (Braintree)
69.9
Median Income
Earls Colne
£32,465
Halstead (Braintree)
£35,932
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Halstead (braintree) is £395,095, which is 1% less than Earls Colne at £399,189. The most affordable entry point in Earls Colne is a flat at £175,250, while in Halstead (braintree) it is a flat at £166,726.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 12% pricier in Halstead (braintree) (£347,667 vs £306,803).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Halstead (braintree) prices grew faster — 31% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 53.6 offences per 1,000 people, Halstead (braintree) is the safer of the two – 1% lower than Earls Colne's 53.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Earls Colne 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 EnglandEarls Colne has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Halstead (braintree). Earls Colne has 1 schools in total, while Halstead (braintree) has 4.
Earls Colne School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) 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 | Earls Colne | Halstead (Braintree) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Earls Colne offers faster average downloads at 417.3 Mbps, compared to 393.4 Mbps in Halstead (braintree). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 89.8% of premises in Earls Colne and 95.6% in Halstead (braintree). Gigabit availability stands at 81.8% in Earls Colne and 75.1% in Halstead (braintree).
Earls Colne is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (417 vs 393 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Halstead (braintree) are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.9 (band C) versus 69.7 (band C) in Earls Colne. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,252 in Earls Colne and £1,235 in Halstead (braintree). 60.2% of homes in Earls Colne 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 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,932 in Halstead (braintree) and £32,465.3 in Earls Colne. The median age is 44.9 in Earls Colne and 44.2 in Halstead (braintree). Employment rates stand at 58.2% in Earls Colne and 60.3% in Halstead (braintree). Owner-occupancy is 67.8% in Earls Colne versus 67.8% in Halstead (braintree).
| Indicator | Earls Colne | Halstead (Braintree) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,360 | 13,902 |
| Median Age | 44.9 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,465.3 | £35,932 |
| Employment Rate | 58.2% | 60.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.8% | 67.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.2% | 25.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Earls Colne and Halstead (braintree)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Earls Colne or Halstead (braintree)?
Is Earls Colne or Halstead (braintree) safer?
Which has better schools, Earls Colne or Halstead (braintree)?
Which has faster broadband, Earls Colne or Halstead (braintree)?
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