Moving to Chatham (ME5)

Kent · Medway

Planning a move to ME5? Discover council tax rates, Ofsted-rated schools, broadband speeds, green spaces and more for the Chatham 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 Chatham. 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 Chatham

Based on 934 property sales recorded by HM Land Registry in ME5 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)£300,000
Average Price (all types)£325,819

By Property Type

Detached£446,000 (171 sales)
Semi-Detached£318,000 (333 sales)
Terraced£275,500 (360 sales)
Flat / Maisonette£140,000 (57 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 Chatham

As with many well-connected urban areas, Chatham 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.

ME5 Total Crimes (13 months)4,158
National Average per District2,628
vs National Average58% above average

Breakdown by Category

Violence & Sexual Offences1,572 (70% above avg)
Anti-social Behaviour1,101 (160% above avg)
Public Order136 (25% below avg)
Vehicle Crime177 (33% above avg)
Shoplifting177 (19% below avg)
Criminal Damage & Arson372 (95% above avg)
Burglary88 (8% below avg)
Other Theft229 (32% above avg)
Drugs87 (6% below avg)
Robbery25 (31% below avg)
Theft from Person9 (82% below avg)
Bicycle Theft6 (74% below avg)
Possession of Weapons43 (65% 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 Chatham

Council tax is one of the most important ongoing costs to consider when moving to a new area. In Chatham, council tax is managed by Medway. 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£1552.37
B£40,001 – £52,000£1811.09
C£52,001 – £68,000£2069.82
D£68,001 – £88,000£2328.55
E£88,001 – £120,000£2846.01
F£120,001 – £160,000£3363.46
G£160,001 – £320,000£3880.92
H£320,001+£4657.10

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 Medway →

Essential Services Near Chatham

59.4 / 100 — This convenience score reflects how well-served the ME5 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)21

Green Spaces in Chatham

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 ME5 that are within a 5-minute walk of a public park, playing field, or nature reserve.

86% of residential postcodes in ME5 have green space within walking distance, making this an exceptionally green area to live in.

Schools in Chatham

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 ME5 postcode district that have received an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted — the highest possible grade for teaching quality, leadership, and pupil outcomes.

Outstanding schools (total)3
Primary1
Secondary0
Nursery0

Broadband in Chatham

Reliable internet is essential for working from home, streaming, and staying connected. The broadband quality score for ME5 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.

84.1 / 100 — Overall broadband quality score for the ME5 district.

Superfast broadband (≥30Mbps)99.1%
Ultrafast broadband (≥100Mbps)95.1%
Gigabit capable93.5%
Below USO (≤10Mbps)0.0%

Moving to ME5? Compare broadband deals for your new address →

Energy Performance in Chatham

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The median EPC band for ME5 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 score69
Total rated properties10499

Homes in ME5 average EPC Band C. Compare energy deals for your new home →

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Nearby Areas in ME Postcode Area