Altrincham vs Bowdon
Which is better to live in? Distance: 1.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Altrincham is about 49% cheaper on average. Altrincham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Altrincham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Altrincham
£488,148
Bowdon
£952,908
Crime Rate
Altrincham
73.9
Bowdon
74.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Altrincham
100.0%
Bowdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Altrincham
433.1
Bowdon
433.1
EPC Rating
Altrincham
70.8
Bowdon
70.8
Median Income
Altrincham
£32,892
Bowdon
£32,892
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Altrincham more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £488,148 versus £952,908 in Bowdon. The most affordable entry point in Altrincham is a flat at £262,356, while in Bowdon it is a terraced at £580,727.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 61% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £262,356).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowdon prices grew faster — 40% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Altrincham (73.9 per 1,000) compared to Bowdon (74 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Altrincham 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 favours Altrincham: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Bowdon.
Altrincham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 16 schools (11 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Altrincham | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 16 | 4 |
| Primary | 11 | 2 |
| Secondary | 5 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Altrincham enjoy 433.1 Mbps on average, while Bowdon lags behind at 433.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.2% of premises in Altrincham and 94.2% in Bowdon. Gigabit availability stands at 83% in Altrincham and 83% in Bowdon.
Altrincham is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (433 vs 433 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Altrincham is band C (score 70.8), ahead of Bowdon's band C (score 70.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Altrincham and £1,206 in Bowdon. 62.9% of homes in Altrincham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.9% in Bowdon.
Altrincham has more energy-efficient housing — 62.9% reach band C or above, vs 62.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Altrincham has a population of 49,034 while Bowdon has 6,107. Median household income is £32,891.5 in Altrincham and £32,891.5 in Bowdon. The median age is 44.2 in Altrincham and 44.2 in Bowdon. Employment rates stand at 59.1% in Altrincham and 59.1% in Bowdon.
| Indicator | Altrincham | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,034 | 6,107 |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,891.5 | £32,891.5 |
| Employment Rate | 59.1% | 59.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.5% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40.3% | 40.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Is Altrincham or Bowdon safer?
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