Town Pop. 16,487

Living in Saffron Walden: Liveability Score 59/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Saffron Walden comes out at 59/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Healthcare is where Saffron Walden most outperforms the national norm: 50/100 against a median of 18/100 across UK towns. That is the highest score of the 9 places in the CB10 postcode district.

No category drops below 41/100, which is unusual: most UK towns carry at least one clear weak spot. The CB10 district averages 54/100, putting Saffron Walden 5 points above its own postcode area. Its healthcare score runs 17 points above the CB10 district's 33/100. Wider context for the surrounding area: CB10 postcode district.

59
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.

Saffron Walden scores 59 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Saffron Walden.
Or compare:
CB10 1AA CB10 2AA CB10 9AQ CB10 CB11

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
90
48.3 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 350 crimes
↓ 36% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 77 crimes
↓ 69% below national average
Criminal damage and arson 76 crimes
↓ 32% below national average
Other theft 67 crimes
↓ 34% below national average
Public order 51 crimes
↓ 52% below national average
other 176 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Supermarket 44 crimes
  2. 2 High Street 31 crimes
  3. 3 Tukes Way 31 crimes

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

Environment
62
Air Quality NO₂ 6.9 · PM2.5 7 · PM10 12.1 µg/m³
71
Green Space 40
Parks Ample 31
Sports Pitches Ample 14
Allotments Ample 5
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts Ample 11
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Ample 8

Services

Schools
43
7 schools in area
2Outstanding2Good3Ungraded
  • R A Butler Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Outstanding
  • Saffron Walden County High SchoolSecondary · inspected 2024
    Outstanding
  • St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron WaldenPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Katherine Semar Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Ungraded
  • Katherine Semar Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Ungraded
  • R A Butler Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Ungraded

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

Healthcare
50
A&E departmentsCambridge Biomedical Campus10.5 mi
Urgent Care Cambridge13.4 mi
Princess Alexandra Hospital17.6 mi
Hospital waitsCambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust0.5 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks62.9%
A&E seen within 4 hrs71.1%
2 GP surgeries in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,553 patients per GP
8dentists2pharmacies

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
61
Full fibre (FTTP)68.3%
available across Uttlesford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
81.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
81.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
98.5%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 378 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
72
Employment rate61.3%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed61.3%Unemployed2.3%Retired24.4%Student3.8%Other inactive8.3%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial48.2%Skilled & technical30.3%Routine & elementary21.5%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications13.8%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.9%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.6%Level 3 (A levels)15.1%Level 4+ (degree & above)41%Apprenticeship4.4%Other (incl. vocational)2.3%
Home ownership65%
Among the least-deprived 16% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
57
Council tax Uttlesford · 2026-27
A £1,556
B £1,815
C £2,075
D £2,334
E £2,853
F £3,371
G £3,890
H £4,668
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
41
Audley End 2 mi
Newport 3.1 mi
Great Chesterford 3.6 mi
J9 M11 3.4 mi
J9A M11 4.3 mi
J9A M11 4.7 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
52
Pubs & Bars Ample 10
Restaurants & Cafes Ample 16
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 10
Retail Shopping Ample 60
Takeaways Some 1
Fitness Ample 9

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £407,500 136
Detached £617,500 32
Semi-detached £457,500 36
Terraced £315,000 41
Flat / Maisonette £240,000 27
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£183k £390k £603k £811k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Sewards End 35 1.6 mi away ⇄
Littlebury 44 1.9 mi away ⇄
Wendens Ambo 44 2.1 mi away ⇄
Elder Street 37 2.5 mi away ⇄
Newport (Uttlesford) 51 2.8 mi away ⇄
Debden 38 3.2 mi away ⇄
Great Chesterford 52 3.6 mi away ⇄
Ashdon 43 3.7 mi away ⇄
Wicken Bonhunt 39 4.1 mi away ⇄
Widdington 49 4.1 mi away ⇄
Radwinter 36 4.1 mi away ⇄
Arkesden 38 4.3 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Saffron Walden a nice place to live?

Saffron Walden is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Saffron Walden is 59/100, 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 Saffron Walden?

Saffron Walden is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 90/100. There were 797 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Saffron Walden?

Among the top-rated schools in Saffron Walden are R A Butler Junior School and Saffron Walden County High School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 7 rated schools in Saffron Walden in total.

What are house prices like in Saffron Walden?

The current median house price in Saffron Walden is £407,500, around 43% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £617,500, semi-detached £457,500, terraced £315,000, flat £240,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 5%. There were 136 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Saffron Walden in context

See where Saffron Walden ranks among the best places to live in Essex

Postcode districts in Saffron Walden

CB10 54 ⇄
CB11 51 ⇄

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