Stafford is a town where happy people live, in fact, it was ranked as among the happiest and most affordable places in the UK. Situated in the centre of the county of Staffordshire, Stafford is a thriving market town with bustling shops, restaurants and cafes. It also boasts excellent travel connections, with London, Manchester and Birmingham a little under an hour away. There are certainly plenty of reasons to be excited if you’re moving to Stafford. But what’s it like living here? In this guide, we’re visiting Stafford to learn about its history, house prices and what makes it tick.
A brief history of Stafford
Stafford means “ford” by a staithe, and the area was initially a settlement on a dry sand and gravel peninsula. It was founded in about 700AD, with the battle of Stafford taking place as Eadric the Wild battled against the Norman Conquest in 1069. By the 19th century, the town built a railway station with a direct line to Birmingham. This led to Stafford becoming a major junction and an increasingly popular place to live.
Where is Stafford?
Stafford is located in the county of Staffordshire in the West Midlands. It’s a market town lying around 15 miles north of Wolverhampton and 15 miles south of Stoke-on-Trent. It’s also nearby the M6 motorway.
Moving to Stafford
There’s a varied range of housing in Stafford. If you’re moving to the area, you can expect to find terraced streets, Victorian semis and a good mix of modern and new-build properties in the form of apartment buildings and maisonettes.
Buying in Stafford
The average house value in Stafford is £269,125, with actuarial paid prices quite a bit lower at £251,162. Expect to pay around £332,135 for a detached home, £182,791 for a terraced house and £122,071 for an apartment.
Stafford property prices are slightly higher than the UK national average of £251,000. Over the last 12 months, house prices have increased by 7.8% and by 21% in the last five years.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Stafford, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Stafford
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £505 per month in Stafford, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £793 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £1,000 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Stafford, you’ll be pleased to know that typical living costs are in range with the UK national averages. A meal for one person is around £10, which is £2 cheaper than the UK average. While a cappuccino is about £2.79, and one litre of milk is £0.96p.
Utility bills, which include electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal, cost an average of £165. They are around £10 more expensive than the national average, while broadband is around £32 per month.
Life in Stafford
Stafford offers urban buzz in the county of Staffordshire with its lively town. There are plenty of things to see and do in this quaint yet buzzing historic market town, from busy shopping streets to a range of restaurants.
Open spaces
If you’re looking for somewhere to go for a scenic stroll, why not head to Victoria Park? The River Sow runs through the green space and adds to the pleasant atmosphere. There’s also a paddling pool for kids and exotic birds in the aviary.
Transport links
Direct links to London, Manchester and Birmingham make Stafford the ideal commuter town if you work in one of the UK’s big cities. The M6 is also nearby, meaning you can drive to Manchester or Birmingham.
Shopping
Stafford has a good selection of shops, including chain favourites and local independents. Riverside Stafford is a popular £100m waterfront shopping complex with a range of stores and restaurants.
Eateries
Head to The Soup Kitchen for a daytime coffee and finger sandwiches or spend an evening dining at The Bankhouse Diner & Bar, which serves up American food and is located in a historic building.
Nightlife
Icon & Poptastic is the place to go if you want to shake a leg, while Casa is a stylish contemporary cocktail bar with a heated courtyard and live DJ.
Art & culture
Get creative at The Shire Hall Gallery, the largest venue in Staffordshire dedicated to visual arts and crafts. The Gatehouse is another favourite, thanks to all the entertainment on offer, such as ballet and comedy.
Things to do
Visit Stafford Castle to soak up history in a Grade II listed building. The Ancient High House is another landmark. It dates back to 1642 and is one of the finest Tudor buildings in the whole of the UK.
What’s not to like?
Stafford has plenty going for it, including great travel links. However, it’s one of the busier places in Staffordshire, so if you’re looking for somewhere low-key to call home, Stafford might not be the best option available.
Who lives there?
Stafford has a population of 136,900 and a median age of 45.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 38mbps in Stafford, which is considerably lower than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
Crime rates in Stafford average 2,500 per year and are lower than the national average of 10,000.
Moving to Stafford?
Get even more information about moving to Stafford with Move iQ’s property report, which provides in-depth information on specific properties in the Staffordshire town so you can get to know the area before you move there. All you need is a postcode!
Last Updated: February 20th, 2023
