Hertford vs Ware
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Ware is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 6% lower. Hertford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hertford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Hertford
£525,406
Ware
£497,581
Crime Rate
Hertford
51.8
Ware
51.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Hertford
100.0%
Ware
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Hertford
369.8
Ware
374.1
EPC Rating
Hertford
72.4
Ware
73.5
Median Income
Hertford
£36,596
Ware
£39,455
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £497,581, Ware undercuts Hertford (£525,406) by around 6% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Hertford is a flat at £303,355, while in Ware it is a flat at £243,295.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 25% pricier in Hertford (£303,355 vs £243,295).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hertford prices grew faster — 24% vs 11%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandHertford has a crime rate of 51.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Ware at 51.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Hertford is violent-crime, while in Ware 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 11 schools in Hertford, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Ware, which has 9 schools, the figure is 100%.
Hertford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ware School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Hertford | Ware |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 9 |
| Primary | 8 | 7 |
| Secondary | 3 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ware averages 374.1 Mbps – ahead of Hertford's 369.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.6% of premises in Hertford and 91.7% in Ware. Gigabit availability stands at 68.4% in Hertford and 69.5% in Ware.
Ware is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (374 vs 370 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Ware, scoring 73.5 on average (band C) compared to 72.4 (band C) in Hertford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,112 in Hertford and £1,162 in Ware. 71.8% of homes in Hertford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.4% in Ware.
Hertford has more energy-efficient housing — 71.8% reach band C or above, vs 71.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £39,455 in Ware and £36,596 in Hertford. The median age is 42.2 in Hertford and 43.3 in Ware. Employment rates stand at 61.2% in Hertford and 63.2% in Ware. Owner-occupancy is 64.8% in Hertford versus 69.3% in Ware. Hertford has a population of 28,807 and Ware has 19,631.
| Indicator | Hertford | Ware |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,807 | 19,631 |
| Median Age | 42.2 | 43.3 |
| Median Household Income | £36,596 | £39,455 |
| Employment Rate | 61.2% | 63.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.8% | 69.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.4% | 38.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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