Hitchin vs Stevenage
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Stevenage is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 43% lower. Hitchin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hitchin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Hitchin
£539,220
Stevenage
£376,585
Crime Rate
Hitchin
50.1
Stevenage
90.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Hitchin
100.0%
Stevenage
92.6%
Avg Download Speed
Hitchin
386.2
Stevenage
426.2
EPC Rating
Hitchin
73.1
Stevenage
72.7
Median Income
Hitchin
£35,426
Stevenage
£35,282
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Hitchin commands an average of £539,220, compared with £376,585 in Stevenage – a difference of 43%. The most affordable entry point in Hitchin is a flat at £249,133, while in Stevenage it is a flat at £193,173.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 41% pricier in Hitchin (£584,921 vs £413,712).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hitchin prices grew faster — 29% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandHitchin has a crime rate of 50.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 81% lower than Stevenage at 90.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Hitchin is violent-crime, while in Stevenage 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 Hitchin, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 92.6% in Stevenage. There are 15 schools in Hitchin and 31 in Stevenage.
Hitchin School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 15 schools (12 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Stevenage School Inspection Breakdown
92.6% of 31 schools (25 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Hitchin | Stevenage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 15 | 31 |
| Primary | 12 | 25 |
| Secondary | 3 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 92.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 426.2 Mbps in Stevenage and 386.2 Mbps in Hitchin. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Hitchin and 97.9% in Stevenage. Gigabit availability stands at 73.3% in Hitchin and 82.7% in Stevenage.
Stevenage is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (426 vs 386 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hitchin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.1 (C), while Stevenage averages 72.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,044 in Hitchin and £1,025 in Stevenage. 72.8% of homes in Hitchin have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 73.6% in Stevenage.
Stevenage has more energy-efficient housing — 73.6% reach band C or above, vs 72.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,426.3 in Hitchin and £35,281.5 in Stevenage. The median age is 42.5 in Hitchin and 42.5 in Stevenage. Owner-occupancy is 64.3% in Hitchin versus 60.9% in Stevenage. Employment rates stand at 63.3% in Hitchin and 63% in Stevenage.
| Indicator | Hitchin | Stevenage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,220 | 94,462 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £35,426.3 | £35,281.5 |
| Employment Rate | 63.3% | 63% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.3% | 60.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.8% | 35.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Hitchin and Stevenage?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Hitchin or Stevenage?
Is Hitchin or Stevenage safer?
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