Leiston vs Saxmundham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Leiston is about 28% cheaper on average. Saxmundham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Saxmundham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Leiston
£287,915
Saxmundham
£399,426
Crime Rate
Leiston
61.2
Saxmundham
60.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Leiston
50.0%
Saxmundham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Leiston
237.5
Saxmundham
255.7
EPC Rating
Leiston
69.2
Saxmundham
69.2
Median Income
Leiston
£29,350
Saxmundham
£29,350
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Leiston is £287,915, which is 28% less than Saxmundham at £399,426. The most affordable entry point in Leiston is a flat at £131,543, while in Saxmundham it is a flat at £148,500.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 11% pricier in Saxmundham (£148,500 vs £131,543).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Saxmundham prices grew faster — 33% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandCrime is lower in Saxmundham (60.7 per 1,000) compared to Leiston (61.2 per 1,000), a 1% difference. The most common crime category in Leiston is violent-crime, while in Saxmundham 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 EnglandSaxmundham has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 50% in Leiston. Leiston has 2 schools in total, while Saxmundham has 1.
Leiston School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Saxmundham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Leiston | Saxmundham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Saxmundham offers faster average downloads at 255.7 Mbps, compared to 237.5 Mbps in Leiston. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.4% of premises in Leiston and 87.4% in Saxmundham. Gigabit availability stands at 38.5% in Leiston and 43.7% in Saxmundham.
Saxmundham is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (256 vs 238 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Leiston are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.2 (band C) versus 69.2 (band C) in Saxmundham. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,314 in Leiston and £1,314 in Saxmundham. 60.6% of homes in Leiston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.6% in Saxmundham.
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 Saxmundham. The median age is 49.6 in Leiston and 49.6 in Saxmundham. Employment rates stand at 51.5% in Leiston and 51.5% in Saxmundham. Owner-occupancy is 68.9% in Leiston versus 68.9% in Saxmundham.
| Indicator | Leiston | Saxmundham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,919 | 4,778 |
| 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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