Alderley Edge vs Bowdon
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Alderley Edge wins on house prices with a 24% gap. Alderley Edge has the lower crime rate of the two.
Avg House Price
Alderley Edge
£725,204
Bowdon
£952,908
Crime Rate
Alderley Edge
60.3
Bowdon
74.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alderley Edge
N/A
Bowdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Alderley Edge
367.5
Bowdon
433.1
EPC Rating
Alderley Edge
70.9
Bowdon
70.8
Median Income
Alderley Edge
£32,000
Bowdon
£32,892
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £725,204, Alderley Edge undercuts Bowdon (£952,908) by around 24% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Alderley Edge is a flat at £298,492, while in Bowdon it is a terraced at £580,727.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 56% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £298,492).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowdon prices grew faster — 40% vs 24%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Alderley Edge experience less crime overall, with a rate of 60.3 per 1,000 versus 74 per 1,000 in Bowdon. The most common crime category in Alderley Edge is violent-crime, while in Bowdon 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 WestSchool quality data is not fully available for both Alderley Edge and Bowdon. Alderley Edge has 1 schools and Bowdon has 4 schools.
Alderley Edge School Inspection Breakdown
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alderley Edge | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 4 |
| Primary | 1 | 2 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | N/A | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bowdon averages 433.1 Mbps – ahead of Alderley Edge's 367.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.6% of premises in Alderley Edge and 94.2% in Bowdon. Gigabit availability stands at 66.2% in Alderley Edge and 83% in Bowdon.
Bowdon is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (433 vs 368 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Alderley Edge, scoring 70.9 on average (band C) compared to 70.8 (band C) in Bowdon. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,250 in Alderley Edge and £1,206 in Bowdon. 61.8% of homes in Alderley Edge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.9% in Bowdon.
Bowdon has more energy-efficient housing — 62.9% reach band C or above, vs 61.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Bowdon and £32,000 in Alderley Edge. The median age is 46.1 in Alderley Edge and 44.2 in Bowdon. Employment rates stand at 58.4% in Alderley Edge and 59.1% in Bowdon. Owner-occupancy is 71.9% in Alderley Edge versus 70.5% in Bowdon. Alderley Edge has a population of 4,496 and Bowdon has 6,107.
| Indicator | Alderley Edge | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,496 | 6,107 |
| Median Age | 46.1 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,000 | £32,891.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.4% | 59.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.9% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.6% | 40.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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