Moving to Dunstable (LU5)

Central Bedfordshire · Central Bedfordshire

Planning a move to LU5? Discover council tax rates, Ofsted-rated schools, broadband speeds, green spaces and more for the Dunstable area.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, growing family, or relocating for work, this comprehensive area guide covers everything you need to know before moving to Dunstable. From local council tax rates and school ratings to broadband speeds and nearby green spaces, we've compiled the essential data to help you make an informed decision about your new home.

House Prices in Dunstable

Based on 857 property sales recorded by HM Land Registry in LU5 during 2025–2026. Median prices give a more accurate picture than averages, as they aren't skewed by unusually high or low sales.

Median Price (all types)£333,500
Average Price (all types)£342,692

By Property Type

Detached£465,500 (139 sales)
Semi-Detached£367,525 (318 sales)
Terraced£296,750 (266 sales)
Flat / Maisonette£175,000 (120 sales)

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (Jan 2025 – present). Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2025-2026. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Safety & Crime in Dunstable

As with many well-connected urban areas, Dunstable sees higher-than-average recorded crime. This is common in districts with busy high streets, nightlife, and transport hubs — and doesn't necessarily reflect the experience of residents in quieter residential streets.

LU5 Total Crimes (13 months)4,410
National Average per District2,628
vs National Average68% above average

Breakdown by Category

Violence & Sexual Offences1,484 (60% above avg)
Anti-social Behaviour857 (102% above avg)
Public Order275 (52% above avg)
Vehicle Crime346 (160% above avg)
Shoplifting300 (37% above avg)
Criminal Damage & Arson311 (63% above avg)
Burglary160 (67% above avg)
Other Theft274 (57% above avg)
Drugs138 (48% above avg)
Robbery64 (78% above avg)
Theft from Person18 (63% below avg)
Bicycle Theft36 (57% above avg)
Possession of Weapons31 (19% above avg)

Source: data.police.uk street-level crime data (Apr 2025 – Apr 2026). National average calculated across 2,313 UK postcode districts. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Council Tax in Dunstable

Council tax is one of the most important ongoing costs to consider when moving to a new area. In Dunstable, council tax is managed by Central Bedfordshire. The table below shows estimated annual rates for all bands, extrapolated from the published Band D figure using the standard ratios set by central government.

BandProperty Value (1991)Annual Rate
A£0 – £40,000£1677.44
B£40,001 – £52,000£1957.01
C£52,001 – £68,000£2236.59
D£68,001 – £88,000£2516.16
E£88,001 – £120,000£3075.31
F£120,001 – £160,000£3634.45
G£160,001 – £320,000£4193.60
H£320,001+£5032.32

Figures are estimated from the published Band D rate. Actual charges may vary slightly. Property values are based on 1991 valuations used by the Valuation Office Agency.

View official council tax bands for Central Bedfordshire →

Essential Services Near Dunstable

77.4 / 100 — This convenience score reflects how well-served the LU5 area is for everyday needs. It's calculated from the density of GP surgeries, pharmacies, and supermarkets relative to the local population — giving you a realistic picture of how easy daily errands will be.

Total essential services (GPs + pharmacies + supermarkets)25

Green Spaces in Dunstable

Access to parks and green spaces is increasingly important for wellbeing, exercise, and family life. Our green space accessibility score measures the percentage of residential postcodes in LU5 that are within a 5-minute walk of a public park, playing field, or nature reserve.

96% of residential postcodes in LU5 have green space within walking distance, making this an exceptionally green area to live in.

Schools in Dunstable

For families with children, the quality of local schools is often the deciding factor when choosing where to move. Below is a breakdown of state-funded schools in the LU5 postcode district that have received an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted — the highest possible grade for teaching quality, leadership, and pupil outcomes.

Outstanding schools (total)1
Primary0
Secondary0
Nursery1

Broadband in Dunstable

Reliable internet is essential for working from home, streaming, and staying connected. The broadband quality score for LU5 considers the proportion of properties with access to superfast, ultrafast, and gigabit-capable connections, as well as those still below the Universal Service Obligation (USO) threshold of 10Mbps.

55.3 / 100 — Overall broadband quality score for the LU5 district.

Superfast broadband (≥30Mbps)96.1%
Ultrafast broadband (≥100Mbps)87.0%
Gigabit capable84.4%
Below USO (≤10Mbps)0.0%

Moving to LU5? Compare broadband deals for your new address →

Energy Performance in Dunstable

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The median EPC band for LU5 gives you a sense of how well-insulated and energy-efficient homes in the area tend to be — which directly impacts your heating bills and carbon footprint.

Median EPC bandC
Median EPC score72
Total rated properties13296

Homes in LU5 average EPC Band C. Compare energy deals for your new home →

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Nearby Areas in LU Postcode Area