Harwich vs Lawford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Harwich is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 36% lower. Harwich has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Lawford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Harwich
£250,032
Lawford
£393,024
Crime Rate
Harwich
79.1
Lawford
79.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Harwich
87.5%
Lawford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Harwich
387
Lawford
424.1
EPC Rating
Harwich
70
Lawford
69.6
Median Income
Harwich
£29,832
Lawford
£29,916
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Lawford commands an average of £393,024, compared with £250,032 in Harwich – a difference of 36%. The most affordable entry point in Harwich is a flat at £115,300, while in Lawford it is a flat at £183,048.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 37% pricier in Lawford (£183,048 vs £115,300).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harwich prices grew faster — 47% vs 41%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandHarwich has a crime rate of 79.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Lawford at 79.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Harwich is violent-crime, while in Lawford 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 Lawford, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 87.5% in Harwich. There are 8 schools in Harwich and 3 in Lawford.
Harwich School Inspection Breakdown
87.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lawford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Harwich | Lawford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 3 |
| Primary | 7 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 87.5% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 424.1 Mbps in Lawford and 387.0 Mbps in Harwich. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.8% of premises in Harwich and 97.2% in Lawford. Gigabit availability stands at 73.5% in Harwich and 82.3% in Lawford.
Lawford is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (424 vs 387 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Harwich leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (D), while Lawford averages 69.6 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Harwich and £1,288 in Lawford. 56.4% of homes in Harwich have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56.8% in Lawford.
Lawford has more energy-efficient housing — 56.8% reach band C or above, vs 56.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,916 in Lawford and £29,832 in Harwich. The median age is 50.3 in Harwich and 49.5 in Lawford. Owner-occupancy is 71.5% in Harwich versus 71.2% in Lawford. Employment rates stand at 46.7% in Harwich and 51.1% in Lawford.
| Indicator | Harwich | Lawford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,582 | 4,488 |
| Median Age | 50.3 | 49.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,832 | £29,916 |
| Employment Rate | 46.7% | 51.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.5% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19.9% | 24.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Harwich and Lawford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Harwich or Lawford?
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