Heckington vs Sleaford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Sleaford is about 3% cheaper on average. Sleaford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Heckington edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Heckington
£263,859
Sleaford
£256,818
Crime Rate
Heckington
38.9
Sleaford
38.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Heckington
100.0%
Sleaford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Heckington
378.2
Sleaford
378.2
EPC Rating
Heckington
69.6
Sleaford
69.6
Median Income
Heckington
£30,006
Sleaford
£30,006
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsBuyers will find Sleaford more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £256,818 versus £263,859 in Heckington. The most affordable entry point in Heckington is a terraced at £160,058, while in Sleaford it is a flat at £90,666.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 3% pricier in Heckington (£208,674 vs £202,063).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sleaford prices grew faster — 39% vs 24%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsCrime is lower in Sleaford (38.4 per 1,000) compared to Heckington (38.9 per 1,000), a 1% difference. The most common crime category in Heckington is violent-crime, while in Sleaford 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 MidlandsSchool quality favours Heckington: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Sleaford.
Heckington School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sleaford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (4 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Heckington | Sleaford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 7 |
| Primary | 1 | 4 |
| Secondary | 0 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Heckington enjoy 378.2 Mbps on average, while Sleaford lags behind at 378.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.8% of premises in Heckington and 90.8% in Sleaford. Gigabit availability stands at 72.1% in Heckington and 72.1% in Sleaford.
Heckington is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (378 vs 378 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Heckington is band C (score 69.6), ahead of Sleaford's band C (score 69.6). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,340 in Heckington and £1,340 in Sleaford. 58.8% of homes in Heckington have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.8% in Sleaford.
Heckington has more energy-efficient housing — 58.8% reach band C or above, vs 58.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Heckington has a population of 3,316 while Sleaford has 18,028. Median household income is £30,005.5 in Heckington and £30,005.5 in Sleaford. The median age is 46.3 in Heckington and 46.3 in Sleaford. Employment rates stand at 57.9% in Heckington and 57.9% in Sleaford.
| Indicator | Heckington | Sleaford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,316 | 18,028 |
| Median Age | 46.3 | 46.3 |
| Median Household Income | £30,005.5 | £30,005.5 |
| Employment Rate | 57.9% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.5% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Heckington and Sleaford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Heckington or Sleaford?
Is Heckington or Sleaford safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Heckington or Sleaford?
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