Harwich vs Ipswich
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Harwich wins on house prices with a 20% gap. Harwich has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ipswich edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Harwich
£250,032
Ipswich
£312,422
Crime Rate
Harwich
79.1
Ipswich
88.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Harwich
87.5%
Ipswich
90.0%
Avg Download Speed
Harwich
387
Ipswich
462.9
EPC Rating
Harwich
70
Ipswich
70.4
Median Income
Harwich
£29,832
Ipswich
£30,219
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Ipswich commands an average of £312,422, compared with £250,032 in Harwich – a difference of 20%. The most affordable entry point in Harwich is a flat at £115,300, while in Ipswich it is a flat at £133,991.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 26% pricier in Ipswich (£460,405 vs £341,587).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harwich prices grew faster — 47% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Harwich experience less crime overall, with a rate of 79.1 per 1,000 versus 88.2 per 1,000 in Ipswich. The most common crime category in Harwich is violent-crime, while in Ipswich 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 Ipswich, where 90% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 87.5% in Harwich. There are 8 schools in Harwich and 41 in Ipswich.
Harwich School Inspection Breakdown
87.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ipswich School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 41 schools (33 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Harwich | Ipswich |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 41 |
| Primary | 7 | 33 |
| Secondary | 1 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 87.5% | 90% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.9 Mbps in Ipswich and 387.0 Mbps in Harwich. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.8% of premises in Harwich and 98.9% in Ipswich. Gigabit availability stands at 73.5% in Harwich and 89.8% in Ipswich.
Ipswich is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (463 vs 387 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Ipswich leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.4 (C), while Harwich averages 70 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Harwich and £1,255 in Ipswich. 56.4% of homes in Harwich have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.3% in Ipswich.
Ipswich has more energy-efficient housing — 61.3% reach band C or above, vs 56.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,218.7 in Ipswich and £29,832 in Harwich. The median age is 50.3 in Harwich and 45.9 in Ipswich. Owner-occupancy is 71.5% in Harwich versus 66.8% in Ipswich. Employment rates stand at 46.7% in Harwich and 57.8% in Ipswich.
| Indicator | Harwich | Ipswich |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,582 | 151,566 |
| Median Age | 50.3 | 45.9 |
| Median Household Income | £29,832 | £30,218.7 |
| Employment Rate | 46.7% | 57.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.5% | 66.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19.9% | 28.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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