Altrincham vs Walkden
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Walkden wins on house prices with a 45% gap. Altrincham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Altrincham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Altrincham
£488,148
Walkden
£336,051
Crime Rate
Altrincham
73.9
Walkden
105.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Altrincham
100.0%
Walkden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Altrincham
433.1
Walkden
479.7
EPC Rating
Altrincham
70.8
Walkden
73.2
Median Income
Altrincham
£32,892
Walkden
£30,499
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Altrincham commands an average of £488,148, compared with £336,051 in Walkden – a difference of 45%. The most affordable entry point in Altrincham is a flat at £262,356, while in Walkden it is a flat at £154,356.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 89% pricier in Altrincham (£863,236 vs £456,366).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Walkden prices grew faster — 54% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Altrincham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 73.9 per 1,000 versus 105.8 per 1,000 in Walkden. The most common crime category in Altrincham is violent-crime, while in Walkden 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 Altrincham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Walkden. There are 16 schools in Altrincham and 9 in Walkden.
Altrincham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 16 schools (11 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Walkden School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (8 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Altrincham | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 16 | 9 |
| Primary | 11 | 8 |
| Secondary | 5 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 479.7 Mbps in Walkden and 433.1 Mbps in Altrincham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.2% of premises in Altrincham and 98.7% in Walkden. Gigabit availability stands at 83% in Altrincham and 95.3% in Walkden.
Walkden is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (480 vs 433 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Walkden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.2 (C), while Altrincham averages 70.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Altrincham and £983 in Walkden. 62.9% of homes in Altrincham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 74.8% in Walkden.
Walkden has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 62.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Altrincham and £30,499 in Walkden. The median age is 44.2 in Altrincham and 40.5 in Walkden. Owner-occupancy is 70.5% in Altrincham versus 56.7% in Walkden. Employment rates stand at 59.1% in Altrincham and 58.1% in Walkden.
| Indicator | Altrincham | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,034 | 18,684 |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 40.5 |
| Median Household Income | £32,891.5 | £30,499 |
| Employment Rate | 59.1% | 58.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.5% | 56.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40.3% | 29.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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