Is Hereford Safe, Pros and cons of living in Hereford
Hereford, a historic cathedral city nestled in the West Midlands of England, offers a blend of rural charm and urban amenities. Known for its picturesque landscapes along the River Wye and its rich heritage, Hereford presents a unique proposition for those considering a move. Understanding the practicalities of daily life, from safety and cost of living to employment and education, is crucial for making an informed decision about relocating to this West Midlands gem.
This guide delves into the essential aspects of life in Hereford, providing current data and insights to help prospective residents assess if this city aligns with their lifestyle and financial goals. We will explore the safety of its neighborhoods, the economic landscape, the quality of its educational institutions, and the general environment one can expect when calling Hereford home.
Is it Safe to Live in Hereford?
Hereford presents a generally safe environment, with its overall crime rate being lower than some regional and national averages. The crime rate in Hereford is 76 crimes per 1,000 people as of 2026, which is 56% higher than the rate for Herefordshire county overall (CrimeRate). However, it is important to note that this figure is 4.9% higher than the national average for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The most common crimes in Hereford are violence and sexual offenses, with 2,089 offenses recorded in 2026 (CrimeRate). While theft from the person is less common, it saw a slight increase in recorded offenses in 2026 compared to the previous year (CrimeRate). Hereford is ranked as the 80th most dangerous medium-sized town in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, indicating a generally low level of risk for residents (CrimeRate).
Cost of Living and Housing
Housing Market Overview
The average property price in Hereford is approximately £315,000, with a median price of £277,000 (Plumplot). Over the past year, the average price has seen a decline of 6% (Plumplot). In contrast, the average house price in the UK was £262,000 (Zoopla), making Hereford’s market slightly higher than the national average in some reports, while others suggest it is lower than the national average, with an average house price of £244,000 (Zoopla).
More recent data indicates that the average house price in Herefordshire was £279,000 in February 2026, a slight decrease of 1.6% from the previous year (Office for National Statistics). For properties bought with a mortgage, the average price was £272,000 in February 2026 (Office for National Statistics). The most affordable areas within the Hereford postcode area include ‘HR2 7’, with an average price of £227,000, while ‘HR6 0’ is the most expensive at £478,000 (Plumplot).
Rental Market Insights
Rental prices in Herefordshire saw an annual increase of 4.1% in March 2026, reaching an average of £815 per month (Office for National Statistics). This rise was slightly lower than the increase seen across the West Midlands region (Office for National Statistics). For a one-bedroom apartment in Hereford city center, the rent is approximately £725 per month, while outside the city center, it is around £675 per month (Numbeo). A three-bedroom apartment in the city center costs about £1,200 per month, and outside the center, it is approximately £1,025 per month (Numbeo).
The cost of living in Hereford is estimated at $1928 per month for a single person, which includes rent (Livingcost). This figure places Hereford among the top 25% of the most expensive cities globally, ranking 2293rd out of 9294 cities worldwide (Livingcost). The median after-tax salary is $2821, which can cover living expenses for about 1.5 months (Livingcost).
Job Market and Economy
Employment and Unemployment Rates
The unemployment rate in Herefordshire was 3.0% in the year ending December 2023 (ONS). This represents an increase from the 2.6% rate in the year ending December 2022 (ONS). As of April 2026, the overall crime rate in Hereford postcode area was 67.4 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 67% of the national crime average (Plumplot).
The employment rate for individuals aged 16 to 64 in Herefordshire was 80.5% in the year ending December 2023, which is higher than the West Midlands average (ONS). The claimant count for unemployment-related benefits in Herefordshire was 2.5% in March 2024, remaining stable compared to the previous year (ONS).
Average Salaries and Major Employers
The average salary in Hereford, England, Herefordshire, is approximately £30,000 (Payscale). Other sources indicate the average salary for jobs in Hereford is £34,236 per year, or £16 per hour (ERI SalaryExpert). A different report states the average salary in Herefordshire is £36.6k, with a median salary of £33.7k (Plumplot). For starter positions, the average salary in Hereford is around £27,387 annually (ERI Economic Research Institute).
Major employers in Hereford include the SAS Institute and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (Williams Estate Agents). The city’s economy is diverse, with significant sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture (Williams Estate Agents).
Climate and Environment
Temperature and Rainfall Averages
Hereford experiences a temperate climate with comfortable summers and cold, windy winters. The average daily temperature typically ranges from 35°F to 69°F, rarely dropping below 26°F or exceeding 78°F (Weather Spark). The warmest month is July, with average highs of 69°F and lows of 54°F, while January is the coldest, with average lows of 36°F and highs of 44°F (Weather Spark).
The city receives an average of 811 mm of precipitation annually (Weather Spark). The wettest month is typically October, with around 77 mm of rainfall, while March is the driest, with approximately 58 mm (Weather Spark). Wet days, defined as those with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, occur more frequently during the wetter season, which runs from October to May, with November having an average of 10.0 wet days (Weather Spark).
Education and Demographics
School Ratings and Performance
Hereford boasts several highly-rated schools. Among the top primary schools are St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy, St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, and Riverside Primary School, all of which have received “Good” or “Outstanding” Ofsted ratings (Snobe). In terms of academic performance, 9.18% of pupils in Hereford achieve strong passes in reading, writing, and maths, which is higher than the England average of 7.42% (Snobe).
For secondary education, schools like St Mary’s RC High School and Fairfield High School are recognized for their strong performance, with “Outstanding” Ofsted ratings (LocaleIQ). The Attainment 8 scores, which measure average GCSE grades across eight subjects, show that St Mary’s RC High School achieved 52.2, and Fairfield High School achieved 50.3 (LocaleIQ).
Population and Demographics
As of 2024, Hereford has an estimated population of 61,900, making it the largest settlement in Herefordshire (Wikipedia). The population of Herefordshire as a whole is approximately 191,047 (Wikipedia). In Herefordshire, 91.1% of the population identified as ‘White British’ in the 2021 census, with 5.1% identifying as ‘White Other’ (Wikipedia).
The county has a predominantly rural character, with a population density of 88 people per square kilometer, making it one of the least densely populated counties in England (Understanding Herefordshire). Hereford city itself has a younger demographic profile compared to the county average, with higher proportions of young adults and children (Understanding Herefordshire).