Town comparison
March vs Peterborough
Which is better to live in? 15.0 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, March wins on house prices with a 19% gap. March has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Peterborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
March
£238,846
Peterborough
£295,680
Crime Rate
March
75.8
Peterborough
104.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
March
50.0%
Peterborough
92.3%
Avg Download Speed
March
383.8
Peterborough
470.4
EPC Rating
March
72.8
Peterborough
72.4
Median Income
March
£32,563
Peterborough
£31,362
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Peterborough commands an average of £295,680, compared with £238,846 in March – a difference of 19%. The most affordable entry point in March is a flat at £116,769, while in Peterborough it is a flat at £124,267.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 32% pricier in Peterborough (£421,685 vs £287,224).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Peterborough prices grew faster — 33% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of March experience less crime overall, with a rate of 75.8 per 1,000 versus 104.7 per 1,000 in Peterborough. The most common crime category in March is violent-crime, while in Peterborough 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 Peterborough, where 92.3% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 50% in March. There are 5 schools in March and 65 in Peterborough.
March School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Peterborough School Inspection Breakdown
92.3% of 65 schools (51 primary, 14 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | March | Peterborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 65 |
| Primary | 4 | 51 |
| Secondary | 1 | 14 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 92.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 470.4 Mbps in Peterborough and 383.8 Mbps in March. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.8% of premises in March and 98.9% in Peterborough. Gigabit availability stands at 73.7% in March and 92.9% in Peterborough.
Peterborough is the faster of the two by 23% on average download speed (470 vs 384 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours March, scoring 72.8 on average (band C) compared to 72.4 (band C) in Peterborough. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,140 in March and £1,118 in Peterborough. 68.9% of homes in March have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 70% in Peterborough.
Peterborough has more energy-efficient housing — 70% reach band C or above, vs 68.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,563 in March and £31,361.5 in Peterborough. The median age is 45 in March and 41.6 in Peterborough. Employment rates stand at 58.5% in March and 61% in Peterborough. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in March versus 62.2% in Peterborough. March has a population of 21,042 and Peterborough has 190,592.
| Indicator | March | Peterborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,042 | 190,592 |
| Median Age | 45 | 41.6 |
| Median Household Income | £32,563 | £31,361.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.5% | 61% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 62.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.2% | 29.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are March and Peterborough?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, March or Peterborough?
Is March or Peterborough safer?
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