Town comparison
Lincoln vs Market Rasen
Which is better to live in? 14.2 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Lincoln wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Market Rasen has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Market Rasen edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Lincoln
£241,749
Market Rasen
£265,768
Crime Rate
Lincoln
117.6
Market Rasen
60.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Lincoln
85.0%
Market Rasen
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Lincoln
375.9
Market Rasen
140.8
EPC Rating
Lincoln
70
Market Rasen
69.9
Median Income
Lincoln
£29,903
Market Rasen
£28,477
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsProperty in Market Rasen commands an average of £265,768, compared with £241,749 in Lincoln – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Lincoln is a flat at £133,335, while in Market Rasen it is a flat at £111,667.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 20% pricier in Lincoln (£216,257 vs £179,794).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Market Rasen prices grew faster — 50% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Market Rasen experience less crime overall, with a rate of 60.9 per 1,000 versus 117.6 per 1,000 in Lincoln. The most common crime category in Lincoln is violent-crime, while in Market Rasen 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 MidlandsFamilies may prefer Market Rasen, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 85% in Lincoln. There are 30 schools in Lincoln and 2 in Market Rasen.
Lincoln School Inspection Breakdown
85% of 30 schools (23 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Market Rasen School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Lincoln | Market Rasen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 30 | 2 |
| Primary | 23 | 1 |
| Secondary | 7 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 85% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 375.9 Mbps in Lincoln and 140.8 Mbps in Market Rasen. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.1% of premises in Lincoln and 71.5% in Market Rasen. Gigabit availability stands at 71.3% in Lincoln and 19.1% in Market Rasen.
Lincoln is the faster of the two by 167% on average download speed (376 vs 141 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Lincoln, scoring 70 on average (band C) compared to 69.9 (band C) in Market Rasen. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,218 in Lincoln and £1,329 in Market Rasen. 59.5% of homes in Lincoln have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.7% in Market Rasen.
Market Rasen has more energy-efficient housing — 59.7% reach band C or above, vs 59.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,902.5 in Lincoln and £28,477 in Market Rasen. The median age is 42.6 in Lincoln and 47.6 in Market Rasen. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Lincoln and 51% in Market Rasen. Owner-occupancy is 61.6% in Lincoln versus 67.2% in Market Rasen. Lincoln has a population of 104,553 and Market Rasen has 4,959.
| Indicator | Lincoln | Market Rasen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,553 | 4,959 |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 47.6 |
| Median Household Income | £29,902.5 | £28,477 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 51% |
| Owner Occupied | 61.6% | 67.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.1% | 24.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Lincoln and Market Rasen?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Lincoln or Market Rasen?
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