Leiston vs Rendlesham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Rendlesham is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 2% lower. Leiston has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Rendlesham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Leiston
£287,915
Rendlesham
£282,210
Crime Rate
Leiston
61.2
Rendlesham
61.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Leiston
50.0%
Rendlesham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Leiston
237.5
Rendlesham
227.6
EPC Rating
Leiston
69.2
Rendlesham
69.2
Median Income
Leiston
£29,350
Rendlesham
£29,350
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £282,210, Rendlesham undercuts Leiston (£287,915) by around 2% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Leiston is a flat at £131,543, while in Rendlesham it is a flat at £137,545.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 8% pricier in Rendlesham (£253,906 vs £234,446).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Rendlesham prices grew faster — 39% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandLeiston has a crime rate of 61.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Rendlesham at 61.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Leiston is violent-crime, while in Rendlesham 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 2 schools in Leiston, 50% are in the top two inspection bands. In Rendlesham, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Leiston School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Rendlesham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Leiston | Rendlesham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Leiston averages 237.5 Mbps – ahead of Rendlesham's 227.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.4% of premises in Leiston and 90.1% in Rendlesham. Gigabit availability stands at 38.5% in Leiston and 36.6% in Rendlesham.
Leiston is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (238 vs 228 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Leiston, scoring 69.2 on average (band C) compared to 69.2 (band C) in Rendlesham. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,314 in Leiston and £1,314 in Rendlesham. 60.6% of homes in Leiston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.6% in Rendlesham.
Leiston has more energy-efficient housing — 60.6% reach band C or above, vs 60.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,350 in Leiston and £29,350 in Rendlesham. The median age is 49.6 in Leiston and 49.6 in Rendlesham. Employment rates stand at 51.5% in Leiston and 51.5% in Rendlesham. Owner-occupancy is 68.9% in Leiston versus 68.9% in Rendlesham. Leiston has a population of 5,919 and Rendlesham has 3,185.
| Indicator | Leiston | Rendlesham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,919 | 3,185 |
| Median Age | 49.6 | 49.6 |
| Median Household Income | £29,350 | £29,350 |
| Employment Rate | 51.5% | 51.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.9% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.6% | 27.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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