Elsenham vs Melbourn
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Melbourn wins on house prices with a 6% gap. Melbourn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Elsenham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Elsenham
£480,546
Melbourn
£454,427
Crime Rate
Elsenham
52.4
Melbourn
46.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Elsenham
100.0%
Melbourn
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Elsenham
450.6
Melbourn
384.7
EPC Rating
Elsenham
72.4
Melbourn
73.6
Median Income
Elsenham
£37,261
Melbourn
£36,933
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £454,427, Melbourn undercuts Elsenham (£480,546) by around 6% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Elsenham is a flat at £218,686, while in Melbourn it is a flat at £252,200.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 13% pricier in Melbourn (£252,200 vs £218,686).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Melbourn prices grew faster — 22% vs 20%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Melbourn experience less crime overall, with a rate of 46.1 per 1,000 versus 52.4 per 1,000 in Elsenham. The most common crime category in Elsenham is violent-crime, while in Melbourn 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 EnglandOf the 1 schools in Elsenham, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Melbourn, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Elsenham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Melbourn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Elsenham | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Elsenham averages 450.6 Mbps – ahead of Melbourn's 384.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.8% of premises in Elsenham and 94.5% in Melbourn. Gigabit availability stands at 88.6% in Elsenham and 72.7% in Melbourn.
Elsenham is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (451 vs 385 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Melbourn, scoring 73.6 on average (band C) compared to 72.4 (band C) in Elsenham. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,230 in Elsenham and £1,142 in Melbourn. 68% of homes in Elsenham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.2% in Melbourn.
Melbourn has more energy-efficient housing — 72.2% reach band C or above, vs 68% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,260.7 in Elsenham and £36,933 in Melbourn. The median age is 44 in Elsenham and 43.8 in Melbourn. Employment rates stand at 61.8% in Elsenham and 62.8% in Melbourn. Owner-occupancy is 69.8% in Elsenham versus 68.9% in Melbourn. Elsenham has a population of 3,414 and Melbourn has 4,907.
| Indicator | Elsenham | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,414 | 4,907 |
| Median Age | 44 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £37,260.7 | £36,933 |
| Employment Rate | 61.8% | 62.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.8% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.9% | 39.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Elsenham and Melbourn?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Elsenham or Melbourn?
Is Elsenham or Melbourn safer?
Which has better schools, Elsenham or Melbourn?
Which has faster broadband, Elsenham or Melbourn?
Keep exploring