Alvechurch vs Dickens Heath
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Dickens Heath is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 74% lower. For families, Alvechurch edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alvechurch
£443,033
Dickens Heath
£254,465
Crime Rate
Alvechurch
N/A
Dickens Heath
78.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alvechurch
100.0%
Dickens Heath
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Alvechurch
416.3
Dickens Heath
462
EPC Rating
Alvechurch
70.1
Dickens Heath
69.8
Median Income
Alvechurch
£32,815
Dickens Heath
£33,940
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Alvechurch commands an average of £443,033, compared with £254,465 in Dickens Heath – a difference of 74%. The most affordable entry point in Alvechurch is a flat at £181,000, while in Dickens Heath it is a flat at £208,841.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 24% pricier in Alvechurch (£643,750 vs £519,825).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Alvechurch prices grew faster — 38% vs 20%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsCrime rate data is not available for both Alvechurch and Dickens Heath at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in West MidlandsFamilies may prefer Alvechurch, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Dickens Heath. There are 2 schools in Alvechurch and 1 in Dickens Heath.
Alvechurch School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dickens Heath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alvechurch | Dickens Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.0 Mbps in Dickens Heath and 416.3 Mbps in Alvechurch. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.6% of premises in Alvechurch and 96.7% in Dickens Heath. Gigabit availability stands at 81% in Alvechurch and 91.4% in Dickens Heath.
Dickens Heath is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (462 vs 416 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Alvechurch, scoring 70.1 on average (band C) compared to 69.8 (band C) in Dickens Heath. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,378 in Alvechurch and £1,242 in Dickens Heath. 61.8% of homes in Alvechurch have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.4% in Dickens Heath.
Alvechurch has more energy-efficient housing — 61.8% reach band C or above, vs 61.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,939.5 in Dickens Heath and £32,814.5 in Alvechurch. The median age is 47.4 in Alvechurch and 45.6 in Dickens Heath. Employment rates stand at 58.5% in Alvechurch and 57.2% in Dickens Heath. Owner-occupancy is 74.2% in Alvechurch versus 74.8% in Dickens Heath. Alvechurch has a population of 3,412 and Dickens Heath has 4,797.
| Indicator | Alvechurch | Dickens Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,412 | 4,797 |
| Median Age | 47.4 | 45.6 |
| Median Household Income | £32,814.5 | £33,939.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.5% | 57.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 74.2% | 74.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38% | 36% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Alvechurch and Dickens Heath?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Alvechurch or Dickens Heath?
Is Alvechurch or Dickens Heath safer?
Which has better schools, Alvechurch or Dickens Heath?
Which has faster broadband, Alvechurch or Dickens Heath?
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