Accrington vs Penwortham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Accrington is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 40% lower. Penwortham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Penwortham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Accrington
£145,475
Penwortham
£242,086
Crime Rate
Accrington
93.3
Penwortham
55.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Accrington
70.0%
Penwortham
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Accrington
442.6
Penwortham
385.2
EPC Rating
Accrington
69.1
Penwortham
72.2
Median Income
Accrington
£29,973
Penwortham
£30,301
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Penwortham commands an average of £242,086, compared with £145,475 in Accrington – a difference of 40%. The most affordable entry point in Accrington is a flat at £94,333, while in Penwortham it is a flat at £116,656.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 39% pricier in Penwortham (£167,291 vs £102,513).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Penwortham prices grew faster — 34% vs 9%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestPenwortham has a crime rate of 55.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 68% lower than Accrington at 93.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Accrington is violent-crime, while in Penwortham it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in North WestFamilies may prefer Penwortham, where 90.9% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 70% in Accrington. There are 14 schools in Accrington and 11 in Penwortham.
Accrington School Inspection Breakdown
70% of 14 schools (11 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Penwortham School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Accrington | Penwortham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 14 | 11 |
| Primary | 11 | 8 |
| Secondary | 3 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 70% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 442.6 Mbps in Accrington and 385.2 Mbps in Penwortham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.7% of premises in Accrington and 96.7% in Penwortham. Gigabit availability stands at 85.4% in Accrington and 72.9% in Penwortham.
Accrington is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (443 vs 385 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Penwortham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Accrington averages 69.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,326 in Accrington and £1,086 in Penwortham. 58% of homes in Accrington have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.8% in Penwortham.
Penwortham has more energy-efficient housing — 67.8% reach band C or above, vs 58% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,300.5 in Penwortham and £29,972.5 in Accrington. The median age is 42.5 in Accrington and 42.4 in Penwortham. Owner-occupancy is 65.5% in Accrington versus 67.2% in Penwortham. Employment rates stand at 56% in Accrington and 58% in Penwortham.
| Indicator | Accrington | Penwortham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,897 | 20,489 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £29,972.5 | £30,300.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56% | 58% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.5% | 67.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.9% | 31.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Accrington and Penwortham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Accrington or Penwortham?
Is Accrington or Penwortham safer?
Which has better schools, Accrington or Penwortham?
Which has faster broadband, Accrington or Penwortham?
Keep exploring