Moving to Bedford (MK45)

Bedford · Central Bedfordshire

Planning a move to MK45? Discover council tax rates, Ofsted-rated schools, broadband speeds, green spaces and more for the Bedford 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 Bedford. 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 Bedford

Based on 1006 property sales recorded by HM Land Registry in MK45 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)£393,750
Average Price (all types)£488,086

By Property Type

Detached£550,000 (338 sales)
Semi-Detached£375,000 (331 sales)
Terraced£315,000 (241 sales)
Flat / Maisonette£217,500 (72 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 Bedford

Bedford recorded 12% fewer crimes than the national average per postcode district — indicating a relatively safe area to live and raise a family.

MK45 Total Crimes (13 months)2,300
National Average per District2,628
vs National Average12% below average

Breakdown by Category

Violence & Sexual Offences849 (8% below avg)
Anti-social Behaviour510 (20% above avg)
Public Order135 (25% below avg)
Vehicle Crime205 (54% above avg)
Shoplifting54 (75% below avg)
Criminal Damage & Arson165 (14% below avg)
Burglary89 (7% below avg)
Other Theft147 (16% below avg)
Drugs63 (32% below avg)
Robbery8 (78% below avg)
Theft from Person5 (90% below avg)
Bicycle Theft3 (87% below avg)
Possession of Weapons11 (58% below 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 Bedford

Council tax is one of the most important ongoing costs to consider when moving to a new area. In Bedford, 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 Bedford

56.8 / 100 — This convenience score reflects how well-served the MK45 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)24

Green Spaces in Bedford

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 MK45 that are within a 5-minute walk of a public park, playing field, or nature reserve.

87% of residential postcodes in MK45 have green space within walking distance, making this an exceptionally green area to live in.

Schools in Bedford

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 MK45 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
Primary1
Secondary0
Nursery0

Broadband in Bedford

Reliable internet is essential for working from home, streaming, and staying connected. The broadband quality score for MK45 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.

30.9 / 100 — Overall broadband quality score for the MK45 district.

Superfast broadband (≥30Mbps)93.8%
Ultrafast broadband (≥100Mbps)73.2%
Gigabit capable67.9%
Below USO (≤10Mbps)0.4%

Moving to MK45? Compare broadband deals for your new address →

Energy Performance in Bedford

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The median EPC band for MK45 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 properties11068

Homes in MK45 average EPC Band C. Compare energy deals for your new home →

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Nearby Areas in MK Postcode Area