Harwich vs Kirby Cross
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Harwich is about 25% cheaper on average. Harwich has the lower crime rate of the two.
Avg House Price
Harwich
£250,032
Kirby Cross
£333,699
Crime Rate
Harwich
79.1
Kirby Cross
79.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Harwich
87.5%
Kirby Cross
N/A
Avg Download Speed
Harwich
387
Kirby Cross
329
EPC Rating
Harwich
70
Kirby Cross
70
Median Income
Harwich
£29,832
Kirby Cross
£29,832
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Harwich is £250,032, which is 25% less than Kirby Cross at £333,699. The most affordable entry point in Harwich is a flat at £115,300, while in Kirby Cross it is a flat at £101,500.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 14% pricier in Harwich (£115,300 vs £101,500).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harwich prices grew faster — 47% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 79.1 offences per 1,000 people, Harwich is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Kirby Cross's 79.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Harwich is violent-crime, while in Kirby Cross 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 EnglandSchool quality data is not fully available for both Harwich and Kirby Cross. Harwich has 8 schools and Kirby Cross has 1 schools.
Harwich School Inspection Breakdown
87.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirby Cross School Inspection Breakdown
| Metric | Harwich | Kirby Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 1 |
| Primary | 7 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 87.5% | N/A |
Broadband & Connectivity
Harwich offers faster average downloads at 387.0 Mbps, compared to 329.0 Mbps in Kirby Cross. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.8% of premises in Harwich and 98.4% in Kirby Cross. Gigabit availability stands at 73.5% in Harwich and 59.3% in Kirby Cross.
Harwich is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (387 vs 329 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Harwich are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 70 (band D) versus 70 (band D) in Kirby Cross. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Harwich and £1,206 in Kirby Cross. 56.4% of homes in Harwich have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56.4% in Kirby Cross.
Harwich has more energy-efficient housing — 56.4% reach band C or above, vs 56.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,832 in Harwich and £29,832 in Kirby Cross. The median age is 50.3 in Harwich and 50.3 in Kirby Cross. Employment rates stand at 46.7% in Harwich and 46.7% in Kirby Cross. Owner-occupancy is 71.5% in Harwich versus 71.5% in Kirby Cross.
| Indicator | Harwich | Kirby Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,582 | 5,720 |
| Median Age | 50.3 | 50.3 |
| Median Household Income | £29,832 | £29,832 |
| Employment Rate | 46.7% | 46.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.5% | 71.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19.9% | 19.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Harwich and Kirby Cross?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Harwich or Kirby Cross?
Is Harwich or Kirby Cross safer?
Which has better schools, Harwich or Kirby Cross?
Which has faster broadband, Harwich or Kirby Cross?
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