Ipswich vs Needham Market
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Needham Market is about 19% cheaper on average. For families, Needham Market edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ipswich
£312,422
Needham Market
£263,455
Crime Rate
Ipswich
88.2
Needham Market
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ipswich
90.0%
Needham Market
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ipswich
462.9
Needham Market
264.3
EPC Rating
Ipswich
70.4
Needham Market
70.4
Median Income
Ipswich
£30,219
Needham Market
£30,002
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Needham Market is £263,455, which is 19% less than Ipswich at £312,422. The most affordable entry point in Ipswich is a flat at £133,991, while in Needham Market it is a flat at £136,824.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 23% pricier in Ipswich (£460,405 vs £373,343).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Needham Market prices grew faster — 29% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandCrime rate data is not available for both Ipswich and Needham Market at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East of EnglandNeedham Market has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 90% in Ipswich. Ipswich has 41 schools in total, while Needham Market has 1.
Ipswich School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 41 schools (33 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Needham Market School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ipswich | Needham Market |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 41 | 1 |
| Primary | 33 | 1 |
| Secondary | 8 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 90% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Ipswich offers faster average downloads at 462.9 Mbps, compared to 264.3 Mbps in Needham Market. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.9% of premises in Ipswich and 88.5% in Needham Market. Gigabit availability stands at 89.8% in Ipswich and 44.4% in Needham Market.
Ipswich is the faster of the two by 75% on average download speed (463 vs 264 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Ipswich are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 70.4 (band C) versus 70.4 (band C) in Needham Market. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,255 in Ipswich and £1,236 in Needham Market. 61.3% of homes in Ipswich have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.4% in Needham Market.
Needham Market has more energy-efficient housing — 62.4% reach band C or above, vs 61.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,218.7 in Ipswich and £30,002 in Needham Market. The median age is 45.9 in Ipswich and 46.2 in Needham Market. Employment rates stand at 57.8% in Ipswich and 56.5% in Needham Market. Owner-occupancy is 66.8% in Ipswich versus 66.1% in Needham Market.
| Indicator | Ipswich | Needham Market |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,566 | 5,055 |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 46.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,218.7 | £30,002 |
| Employment Rate | 57.8% | 56.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.8% | 66.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.6% | 27.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ipswich and Needham Market?
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Is Ipswich or Needham Market safer?
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