Town Pop. 8,468

Living in Bearsted: Liveability Score 54/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Bearsted scores 54/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Measured against other towns, healthcare stands out most: 46/100 where the typical UK town scores 18/100. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 28/100 against a town median of 60/100.

Bearsted places 2nd of 3 in the ME14 postcode district. The ME14 district averages 62/100, putting Bearsted 8 points below its own postcode area. On healthcare specifically, Bearsted sits 23 points below the ME14 district figure of 69/100. For the surrounding area, see ME14 postcode district.

54
OUT OF 100
Average
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Bearsted scores 54 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Bearsted.
Or compare:
ME14 1AD ME14 2AA ME14 3AA ME14 4AA ME14 5AA ME14 9AY ME14 ME15 ME17

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
85
78.5 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 226 crimes
↓ 20% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 139 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Vehicle crime 67 crimes
↑ 65% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 60 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Other theft 57 crimes
≈ similar to national average
other 116 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Musket Lane 81 crimes
  2. 2 Park/Open Space 38 crimes
  3. 3 Conference/Exhibition Centre 29 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
63
Air Quality NO₂ 9.2 · PM2.5 7.3 · PM10 11.4 µg/m³
70
Green Space 49
Parks Ample 14
Sports Pitches Adequate 2
Allotments None
Golf Courses Adequate 2
Tennis Courts Adequate 5
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Adequate 3

Services

Schools
49
8 schools in area · 21 within 4km
3Outstanding4Good1Ungraded
  • Leigh Academy BearstedPrimary · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • Leigh Academy SnowfieldsSpecial · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • School of Science and Technology MaidstoneSecondary · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • Greenfields Community Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Good
  • Madginford Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Roseacre Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Thurnham Church of England Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Maidstone, St John's Church of England Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Ungraded

Ungraded: inspected, but Ofsted no longer issues a single overall grade (since Sept 2024).

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
46
A&E departmentsMaidstone Hospital3.1 mi
Medway Maritime Hospital7.2 mi
Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury13.4 mi
Hospital waitsKent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust0.5 mi
Routine referral (median)5 wks
Treated within 18 weeks99.9%
A&E seen within 4 hrs99.1%
1 GP surgery in area 5 within 4km best 'Good'
GP capacity3,362 patients per GP
1dentist1pharmacy

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
28
Full fibre (FTTP)72.2%
available across Maidstone
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
89.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
90.9%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.2%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 227 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
82
Employment rate57.1%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed57.1%Unemployed1.9%Retired30.7%Student3.2%Other inactive7.1%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial47.9%Skilled & technical35%Routine & elementary17.1%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications15.7%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.1%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15%Level 3 (A levels)16.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)33.3%Apprenticeship5.9%Other (incl. vocational)3.1%
Home ownership83.4%
Among the least-deprived 26% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
35
Council tax Maidstone · 2026-27
A £1,669
B £1,947
C £2,225
D £2,503
E £3,059
F £3,615
G £4,172
H £5,006
Energy South East England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Southern Water
Average bill regional £683/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
44
Bearsted 0.5 mi
Hollingbourne 2.2 mi
Maidstone East 2.5 mi
J8 M20 1.4 mi
J7 M20 1.5 mi
J8 M20 2 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
33
Pubs & Bars Adequate 4
Restaurants & Cafes Some 3
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 4
Retail Shopping Some 4
Takeaways Some 3
Fitness Ample 5

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £486,500 71
Detached £602,000 36
Semi-detached £450,000 25
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced
£285k £448k £616k £780k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Detling 45 1.7 mi away ⇄
Langley (Maidstone) 0 2.0 mi away ⇄
Maidstone 61 2.2 mi away ⇄
Langley Heath 45 2.5 mi away ⇄
Chart Sutton 38 3.1 mi away ⇄
Kingswood (Maidstone) 35 3.6 mi away ⇄
Coxheath 50 3.7 mi away ⇄
Sutton Valence 43 3.8 mi away ⇄
Chartway Street 34 3.9 mi away ⇄
East Farleigh 50 4.1 mi away ⇄
Forstal 45 4.2 mi away ⇄
Bredhurst 37 4.3 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Bearsted a nice place to live?

Bearsted is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Bearsted is 54/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Bearsted?

Bearsted is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 85/100. There were 665 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Bearsted?

Among the top-rated schools in Bearsted are Leigh Academy Bearsted, Leigh Academy Snowfields and School of Science and Technology Maidstone, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 8 rated schools in Bearsted in total.

What are house prices like in Bearsted?

The current median house price in Bearsted is £486,500, around 71% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £602,000, semi-detached £450,000. There were 71 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Bearsted in context

See where Bearsted ranks among the best places to live in Kent

Postcode districts in Bearsted

ME14 62 ⇄
ME15 59 ⇄
ME17 41 ⇄

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