Needham Market vs Stowmarket
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Needham Market is about 14% cheaper on average. For families, Needham Market edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Needham Market
£263,455
Stowmarket
£307,984
Crime Rate
Needham Market
N/A
Stowmarket
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Needham Market
100.0%
Stowmarket
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Needham Market
264.3
Stowmarket
343.2
EPC Rating
Needham Market
70.4
Stowmarket
70.8
Median Income
Needham Market
£30,002
Stowmarket
£30,013
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandBuyers will find Needham Market more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £263,455 versus £307,984 in Stowmarket. The most affordable entry point in Needham Market is a flat at £136,824, while in Stowmarket it is a flat at £139,127.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 11% pricier in Needham Market (£244,367 vs £220,229).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Needham Market prices grew faster — 29% vs 18%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandCrime rate data is not available for both Needham Market and Stowmarket at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East of EnglandSchool quality favours Needham Market: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Stowmarket.
Needham Market School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Stowmarket School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Needham Market | Stowmarket |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 8 |
| Primary | 1 | 7 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Stowmarket enjoy 343.2 Mbps on average, while Needham Market lags behind at 264.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.5% of premises in Needham Market and 92.7% in Stowmarket. Gigabit availability stands at 44.4% in Needham Market and 63.6% in Stowmarket.
Stowmarket is the faster of the two by 30% on average download speed (343 vs 264 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Stowmarket is band C (score 70.8), ahead of Needham Market's band C (score 70.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Needham Market and £1,354 in Stowmarket. 62.4% of homes in Needham Market have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.9% in Stowmarket.
Needham Market has more energy-efficient housing — 62.4% reach band C or above, vs 60.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Needham Market has a population of 5,055 while Stowmarket has 20,833. Median household income is £30,013 in Stowmarket and £30,002 in Needham Market. The median age is 46.2 in Needham Market and 47.9 in Stowmarket. Employment rates stand at 56.5% in Needham Market and 58% in Stowmarket.
| Indicator | Needham Market | Stowmarket |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,055 | 20,833 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 47.9 |
| Median Household Income | £30,002 | £30,013 |
| Employment Rate | 56.5% | 58% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.1% | 73.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.9% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Needham Market and Stowmarket?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Needham Market or Stowmarket?
Is Needham Market or Stowmarket safer?
Which has better schools, Needham Market or Stowmarket?
Which has faster broadband, Needham Market or Stowmarket?
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