Albrighton vs Cradley Heath
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Cradley Heath is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 28% lower. Albrighton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Albrighton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Albrighton
£332,275
Cradley Heath
£260,552
Crime Rate
Albrighton
48.3
Cradley Heath
95.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Albrighton
100.0%
Cradley Heath
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Albrighton
375
Cradley Heath
439.5
EPC Rating
Albrighton
69.8
Cradley Heath
68.8
Median Income
Albrighton
£30,205
Cradley Heath
£28,800
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Albrighton commands an average of £332,275, compared with £260,552 in Cradley Heath – a difference of 28%. The most affordable entry point in Albrighton is a flat at £174,400, while in Cradley Heath it is a flat at £106,173.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 64% pricier in Albrighton (£174,400 vs £106,173).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cradley Heath prices grew faster — 76% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsAlbrighton has a crime rate of 48.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 97% lower than Cradley Heath at 95.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Albrighton is violent-crime, while in Cradley Heath 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 West MidlandsFamilies may prefer Albrighton, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Cradley Heath. There are 2 schools in Albrighton and 7 in Cradley Heath.
Albrighton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cradley Heath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Albrighton | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 7 |
| Primary | 2 | 6 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 439.5 Mbps in Cradley Heath and 375.0 Mbps in Albrighton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 90.4% of premises in Albrighton and 99.6% in Cradley Heath. Gigabit availability stands at 70.7% in Albrighton and 85% in Cradley Heath.
Cradley Heath is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (440 vs 375 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Albrighton leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.8 (C), while Cradley Heath averages 68.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,330 in Albrighton and £1,116 in Cradley Heath. 61.7% of homes in Albrighton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.8% in Cradley Heath.
Albrighton has more energy-efficient housing — 61.7% reach band C or above, vs 55.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,204.5 in Albrighton and £28,800 in Cradley Heath. The median age is 48 in Albrighton and 41.5 in Cradley Heath. Owner-occupancy is 71.5% in Albrighton versus 60.1% in Cradley Heath. Employment rates stand at 55.1% in Albrighton and 54% in Cradley Heath.
| Indicator | Albrighton | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,983 | 18,819 |
| Median Age | 48 | 41.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,204.5 | £28,800 |
| Employment Rate | 55.1% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.5% | 60.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.9% | 23.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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