What Is Living In Chelmsford Like? A Guide To Chelmsford

Chelmsford is the only city that resides in the county of Essex, gaining city status by the Queen in 2012. There are always things going on in Chelmsford and lots to do and explore, there is something for everyone with great events and nightlife with Purple Flag status, history and plenty of nature in and around the city. Chelmsford is only a 35 minute train ride into Central London and so it is always a perfect place for those looking to relocate out of the capital and reside in a similar but quieter and smaller city.

Chelmsford really is a great mix for all as not only does it have a great atmosphere with plenty to do and see, excellent transport links into London but it is also home to over 1,600 acres of green space. Meaning as a resident in Chelmsford you can easily spend your morning taking a great stroll in the countryside you can be shopping, dining, or go to a gig for example all in the same day either within Chelmsford itself or by taking a short trip into London. If that wasn’t enough scope, Chelmsford has been voted one of the best places to live in the East by the Sunday Times twice!

If you are looking around for where to live, why not look at our Colchester area guide? Colchester was voted one of the happiest places to live in a 2019 survey, so take a look!

 

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The 2021 census recorded that there were 181,500 people living in the city which was a rise of 7.8% since the census recordings 10 years earlier. In Essex in total there are roughly 1,515,047 residents! If you want a slower pace of life, and somewhere with a much smaller population then why not look at our Halstead area guide, with a population of 12,161 people. it’ll be a much more relaxed life!

 

As the only city in Essex it is really reassuring to hear the Chelmsford is considered one of the safest places to live within the county. The Police UK website reports that during September 2022 there were 124 incidents of violence and sexual offences reported, 40 incidents of anti-social behaviour, 30 Shoplifting incidents reported and 31 other thefts reported.

The lowest amount of crime over the past year took place in July 2022 where only 332 crimes were reported, the most amount of crime took place in May 2022 with 399 crimes reported. Don’t forget when moving home it is vital to change your locks as you never know who may have a key. Find out more about moving home security!

 

The average house cost over the past year for Chelmsford is around £423,406. If you want to live somewhere close by but in a slightly cheaper price range, then why not look at our Harlow area guide, with a house average of £355,372, you find something in your price range!

The following shows the average property cost in Chelmsford:

Detached Houses

The average market value for a detached house in Chelmsford is currently £623,824.

Semi-Detached Houses

The average market value for a semi-detached house in Chelmsford is currently £442,005.

Terraced Houses

The average market value for a terraced house in Chelmsford is currently £358,161.

Flats

The average market value for a flat in Chelmsford is currently £217,492.

 

Renting in Chelmsford

The following shows how much a rental property costs in 2022 Chelmsford:

Room – £606

Flat – £1,339

House – £1,806

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM):

1 bed –  £1,011

2 beds – £1,254

3 beds – £1,869

4 beds – £2,360

 

Chelmsford has been on the map since 60AD with the arrival of the Romans when it then named Caesaromagus which means the market-place of Caesar and is special as it is the only town in Britain to bear the name of the Roman general.

 

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Travelling in Chelmsford

Due to its location in the heart of Essex and its proximity to London, Chelmsford is a really easy place to travel to and from and is even easy to travel in and around the city itself.

Chelmsford by Road

Chelmsford is located close to the M25 and the A12 meaning there is great access to the national road network with great links to London and surrounding cities. There are also over 5000 parking spaces available in Chelmsford meaning you should be able to park up within the city quite easily.

Chelmsford Train Station

Chelmsford train station is located within a 5 minute walk to the city centre so is easily accessible and offers excellent links to London, Ipswich, Norwich, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester and the rest of the East of England.

Buses in Chelmsford

First Bus is the operator in Chelmsford which offers extensive travel around the city. National Express also stops at Chelmsford and operates up and down the country.

Airports near Chelmsford

Chelmsford is ideally located within 1.5hrs drive from the city centre. Stansted is the closest and is just 30 minutes away which can be reached by the number X30 bus, taxi or via the A120 and A130.

Cycling in Chelmsford

There are over 30km of designated cycle tracks in Chelmsford for you to explore. Access the cycle tracks visit Essex Highways.

 

Schools in Chelmsford

There are plenty of schools in Chelmsford for your children to attend, in fact there are 38 primary schools, 11 secondary schools and 10 schools or colleges that offer 16-18 years education. There are 12 schools that are Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’, these include Mildmay Infant and Nursery School, Beehive Lane Community Primary School and Columbus School and College. Only three schools were rated ‘Requires Improvement’ and the remainder of schools and colleges were either rated ‘Good’ or were not rated by Ofsted.

University near Chelmsford

Anglia Ruskin University is the closest to Chelmsford with a campus in Chelmsford itself. Anglia Ruskin achieved being in the top 3 in the UK for the ‘Satisfied with Teaching’ in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and boasts fantastic facilities that are available to all of their students. At the Chelmsford campus there are 62 undergraduate courses available including Accounting and Finance, Architecture, Engineering, Business, Law, Medicine and Education to name just a few.

 

Eating and Drinking in Chelmsford

According to Tripadvisor, the three top places to eat in Chelmsford are as follows… and it seems Chelmsford residents all have a particular taste for Italian food as they are all Italian restaurants.

  1. Vita Bella

With a whopping 2,132 5* reviews at the time of writing, Vita Bella has claimed the top spot for the best restaurant in Chelmsford. Traditional Italian dishes are on the menu here with a vast, full bodied wine list and lunchtime and evening menus to choose from.

  1. Taste of Italy

This new pizza restaurant has managed to accrue only 5* ratings from its visitors no less! The fresh dough, quality ingredients and wide choice of toppings have had their visitors left feeling full and satisfied.

  1. Pastasciutta

The fresh pasta dishes are clear winners on the menu here, which is no surprise as the owners are Italians themselves. Not only can you dine at the restaurant here but you can also grab food from their market if you’re in a hurry!

 

Shopping in Chelmsford

There is plenty of shopping to be had in Chelmsford from huge retail parks, markets, independent shops and flagship stores! Take a look at the full list of shops here for all your retail therapy!

 

Some of the top rated places to stay in Chelmsford are as follows:

  1. Bluebell Yurt

If you’re looking for something a bit quirky, check out Bluebell Yurt. The Yurt is situated along the river with a private deck of which you can fish and includes a private hot tub, perfect to relax in after you’ve had your BBQ when the sun is setting.

  1. The Lion Inn

This independently run hotel has a bar and bistro-style restaurant to relax and enjoy a traditional pub meal in. There is a lovely garden terrace to enjoy your cup of tea in the morning sunshine and has been rated ‘Superb’ on Booking.com.

  1. Pontlands Park

Located further into the country, this is a nice retreat to the south of Chelmsford. The bedrooms are luxurious and very spacious and the two swimming pools and beautiful grounds sure are a great pull for guests.

Top 10 Things to do in Chelmsford

  1. Hylands House
  2. RHS Garden Hyde Hall
  3. Riverside Leisure Centre
  4. Central Park
  5. Chelmsford Cathedral
  6. Chelmsford City Museum
  7. Essex Police Museum
  8. Shire Hall
  9. Jump Street
  10. Civic Theatre

 

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Chelmsford Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek® Locksmiths Chelmsford provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek® Locksmiths Chelmsford page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01245 200468!

Jessica Davies
Local Area Expert at Keytek Locksmiths

Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chelmsford a Nice Place to Live?

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Chelmsford is a great mix for all as it has a great atmosphere with plenty to do and see, excellent transport links into London, and is home to over 1,600 acres of green space. Residents can easily spend the morning walking in the countryside, then go shopping, dining, or to a gig either within Chelmsford or by taking a short trip into London. Chelmsford has also been voted one of the best places to live in the East by the Sunday Times twice.

What is Chelmsford's Population?

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The 2021 census recorded that there were 181,500 people living in the city, a rise of 7.8% since the previous census 10 years earlier. In Essex overall, there are roughly 1,515,047 residents.

Is Chelmsford a Safe Place to Live?

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Chelmsford is considered one of the safest places to live within Essex. Police UK data from September 2022 reports 124 incidents of violence and sexual offences, 40 incidents of anti-social behaviour, 30 shoplifting incidents, and 31 other thefts.

What is the average house price in Chelmsford?

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The average house cost over the past year in Chelmsford is around £423,406.