Aldridge vs Cradley Heath
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Cradley Heath wins on house prices with a 36% gap. Aldridge has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Aldridge edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Aldridge
£354,442
Cradley Heath
£260,552
Crime Rate
Aldridge
90.5
Cradley Heath
95.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Aldridge
100.0%
Cradley Heath
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Aldridge
416.3
Cradley Heath
439.5
EPC Rating
Aldridge
69.4
Cradley Heath
68.8
Median Income
Aldridge
£31,287
Cradley Heath
£28,800
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Aldridge commands an average of £354,442, compared with £260,552 in Cradley Heath – a difference of 36%. The most affordable entry point in Aldridge is a flat at £163,811, while in Cradley Heath it is a flat at £106,173.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 54% pricier in Aldridge (£163,811 vs £106,173).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cradley Heath prices grew faster — 76% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsResidents of Aldridge experience less crime overall, with a rate of 90.5 per 1,000 versus 95.1 per 1,000 in Cradley Heath. The most common crime category in Aldridge 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 Aldridge, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Cradley Heath. There are 6 schools in Aldridge and 7 in Cradley Heath.
Aldridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (4 primary, 2 secondary) 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 | Aldridge | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 7 |
| Primary | 4 | 6 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 439.5 Mbps in Cradley Heath and 416.3 Mbps in Aldridge. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.7% of premises in Aldridge and 99.6% in Cradley Heath. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Aldridge and 85% in Cradley Heath.
Cradley Heath is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (440 vs 416 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Aldridge, scoring 69.4 on average (band C) compared to 68.8 (band C) in Cradley Heath. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,227 in Aldridge and £1,116 in Cradley Heath. 57.6% of homes in Aldridge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.8% in Cradley Heath.
Aldridge has more energy-efficient housing — 57.6% reach band C or above, vs 55.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,286.5 in Aldridge and £28,800 in Cradley Heath. The median age is 43.9 in Aldridge and 41.5 in Cradley Heath. Employment rates stand at 55% in Aldridge and 54% in Cradley Heath. Owner-occupancy is 66.3% in Aldridge versus 60.1% in Cradley Heath. Aldridge has a population of 15,827 and Cradley Heath has 18,819.
| Indicator | Aldridge | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,827 | 18,819 |
| Median Age | 43.9 | 41.5 |
| Median Household Income | £31,286.5 | £28,800 |
| Employment Rate | 55% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.3% | 60.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.6% | 23.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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