Town Pop. 1,476

Living in Debenham: Liveability Score 46/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Debenham comes out at 46/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Its biggest lead over the typical UK town is healthcare: 43/100 against a national town median of 18/100. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 14/100 against a town median of 60/100.

That makes it the 4th highest-scoring of the 13 places in the IP14 postcode district. On healthcare specifically, Debenham sits 17 points above the IP14 district figure of 26/100. Safety (94) also clears 80/100. Wider context for the surrounding area: IP14 postcode district.

46
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
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.

Debenham scores 46 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Debenham.
Or compare:
IP14 1AA IP14 2AA IP14 3AA IP14 4AA IP14 5AA IP14 6AA IP14 9AR IP14

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
45.4 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 37 crimes
↓ 25% below national average
Other crime 7 crimes
↑ 135% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 6 crimes
↓ 73% below national average
Other theft 6 crimes
↓ 34% below national average
Criminal damage and arson 4 crimes
↓ 60% below national average
other 7 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Sackvylle Street 7 crimes
  2. 2 Raedwald Way 6 crimes
  3. 3 Low Road 6 crimes

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

Environment
57
Air Quality NO₂ 5.625 · PM2.5 6.84 · PM10 12.271 µg/m³
73
Green Space 21
Parks None
Sports Pitches Adequate 2
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 1
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Adequate 4

Services

Schools
32
2 schools in area
2Good
  • Debenham High SchoolSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Sir Robert Hitcham Church of England Voluntary Aided SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
Healthcare
43
A&E departmentsIpswich Hospital11.1 mi
Colchester General Hospital24.4 mi
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital:Emergency Department26.7 mi
Hospital waitsEast Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust0.2 mi
Routine referral (median)12 wks
Treated within 18 weeks60.2%
A&E seen within 4 hrs76.7%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,377 patients per GP
0dentists1pharmacy

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
14
Full fibre (FTTP)58.2%
available across Mid Suffolk
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
21.2%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
21.2%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.8%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 65 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
71
Employment rate55.2%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed55.2%Unemployed2%Retired31.3%Student3.8%Other inactive7.7%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial40.5%Skilled & technical36.4%Routine & elementary23.1%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications15.9%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.7%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.5%Level 3 (A levels)16.5%Level 4+ (degree & above)34.5%Apprenticeship6.7%Other (incl. vocational)2.2%
Home ownership72.1%
Among the least-deprived 33% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
58
Council tax Mid Suffolk · 2026-27
A £1,545
B £1,802
C £2,060
D £2,317
E £2,832
F £3,347
G £3,862
H £4,634
Energy Eastern England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Anglian Water
Average bill regional £498/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
16
Needham Market 7.2 mi
Stowmarket 7.9 mi
Westerfield 9.9 mi
No motorway junctions within 30 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
15
Pubs & Bars Some 1
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Some 1
Retail Shopping Adequate 6
Takeaways Some 1
Fitness Adequate 3

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £370,500 18
Detached £378,000 14
5-year monthly trend
All Detached
£289k £353k £419k £482k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Stonham Aspal 38 3.2 mi away ⇄
Wetheringsett 40 3.5 mi away ⇄
Bedfield 35 3.7 mi away ⇄
Earl Soham 34 3.8 mi away ⇄
Crowfield 34 3.9 mi away ⇄
Worlingworth 36 4.4 mi away ⇄
Mendlesham 37 4.5 mi away ⇄
Thorndon 28 4.6 mi away ⇄
Occold 28 4.8 mi away ⇄
Brandeston 43 5.0 mi away ⇄
Otley (East Suffolk) 36 5.3 mi away ⇄
Ashbocking 35 5.5 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Debenham a nice place to live?

Debenham has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Debenham is 46/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Debenham?

Debenham is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 67 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Debenham?

Among the top-rated schools in Debenham are Debenham High School and Sir Robert Hitcham Church of England Voluntary Aided School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Debenham in total.

What are house prices like in Debenham?

The current median house price in Debenham is £370,500, around 30% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £378,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 14%.

Debenham in context

See the best places to live in Suffolk, ranked

Postcode districts in Debenham

IP14 49 ⇄

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