Town Pop. 2,164

Living in Oakley (Bedford): Liveability Score 44/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Oakley (Bedford) scores 44/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Economic health is where Oakley (Bedford) most outperforms the national norm: 89/100 against a median of 67/100 across UK towns. Broadband falls furthest short: 35/100 where the typical UK town reaches 60/100.

That makes it the 6th highest-scoring of the 20 places in the MK43 postcode district. On economic health specifically, Oakley (Bedford) sits 19 points above the MK43 district figure of 70/100. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (95). For the surrounding area, see MK43 postcode district.

44
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.

Oakley (Bedford) scores 44 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Oakley (Bedford).
Or compare:
MK43 0AA MK43 1AA MK43 2AA MK43 6AZ MK43 7AA MK43 8AA MK43 9AA MK43

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
95
25 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 32 crimes
↓ 56% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 8 crimes
↓ 76% below national average
Criminal damage and arson 7 crimes
↓ 53% below national average
Burglary 3 crimes
↓ 60% below national average
Public order 2 crimes
↓ 86% below national average
other 2 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Flax Close 9 crimes
  2. 2 Farrows Close 7 crimes
  3. 3 Parrott Close 5 crimes

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

Environment
54
Air Quality NO₂ 6 · PM2.5 6.8 · PM10 11.7 µg/m³
73
Green Space 14
Parks Ample 7
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 2

Services

Schools
28
2 schools in area · 7 within 4km
1Good1Ungraded
  • Oakley Primary AcademyPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Lincroft AcademySecondary · inspected 2024
    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
24
A&E departmentsBedford Hospital South Wing3.3 mi
Milton Keynes University Hospital13 mi
Northampton General Hospital15.3 mi
Hospital waitsCambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust3.7 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks62.9%
A&E seen within 4 hrs71.1%
Nearest GP surgeryPriory Medical Practice0.8 mi
GP capacity2,326 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

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
35
Full fibre (FTTP)70.4%
available across Bedford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
62.2%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
62.2%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 44 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
89
Employment rate59.5%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed59.5%Unemployed1.8%Retired28.3%Student4.7%Other inactive5.7%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial51.6%Skilled & technical34.3%Routine & elementary14.1%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications10.1%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.8%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.1%Level 3 (A levels)17.3%Level 4+ (degree & above)40.6%Apprenticeship5.8%Other (incl. vocational)2.2%
Home ownership82.1%
Among the least-deprived 16% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
45
Council tax Bedford · 2026-27
A £1,648
B £1,923
C £2,197
D £2,472
E £3,021
F £3,571
G £4,120
H £4,944
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
7
Bedford 3.1 mi
Bedford St Johns 3.8 mi
Kempston Hardwick 5.5 mi
J13 M1 10.5 mi
J13 M1 10.6 mi
J14 M1 10.6 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
27
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes Some 1
Supermarkets & Convenience None
Retail Shopping Adequate 6
Takeaways None
Fitness None

Places like Oakley (Bedford) Pro

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £310,000 11
5-year monthly trend
All
£380k £408k £438k £466k 2022 2023 2024 2025

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

Nearby places

Clapham (Bedford) 52 1.2 mi away ⇄
Stevington 34 1.3 mi away ⇄
Bromham (Bedford) 57 1.6 mi away ⇄
Pavenham 36 1.7 mi away ⇄
Milton Ernest 26 2.1 mi away ⇄
Box End 43 2.8 mi away ⇄
Felmersham 36 2.8 mi away ⇄
Great Denham 59 3.1 mi away ⇄
Stagsden 38 3.2 mi away ⇄
Bedford 59 3.6 mi away ⇄
Carlton (Bedford) 37 3.7 mi away ⇄
Sharnbrook 45 3.9 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Oakley (Bedford) a nice place to live?

Oakley (Bedford) has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Oakley (Bedford) is 44/100, 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 Oakley (Bedford)?

Oakley (Bedford) is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 95/100. There were 54 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Oakley (Bedford)?

Among the top-rated schools in Oakley (Bedford) is Oakley Primary Academy, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Oakley (Bedford) in total.

What are house prices like in Oakley (Bedford)?

The current median house price in Oakley (Bedford) is £310,000, around 9% above the England and Wales average. Over the past five years, prices have fallen by around 21%.

Oakley (Bedford) in context

See the best places to live in Bedfordshire, ranked

Postcode districts in Oakley (Bedford)

MK43 42 ⇄

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