Appley Bridge vs Cottam (Preston)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Appley Bridge is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 7% lower. Appley Bridge has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Appley Bridge edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Appley Bridge
£265,435
Cottam (Preston)
£285,843
Crime Rate
Appley Bridge
92.4
Cottam (Preston)
96.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Appley Bridge
100.0%
Cottam (Preston)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Appley Bridge
416.7
Cottam (Preston)
326
EPC Rating
Appley Bridge
71.7
Cottam (Preston)
71.8
Median Income
Appley Bridge
£31,457
Cottam (Preston)
£31,406
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Cottam (preston) commands an average of £285,843, compared with £265,435 in Appley Bridge – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Appley Bridge is a flat at £154,500, while in Cottam (preston) it is a flat at £99,130.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 56% pricier in Appley Bridge (£154,500 vs £99,130).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Appley Bridge prices grew faster — 32% vs 11%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestAppley Bridge has a crime rate of 92.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 5% lower than Cottam (preston) at 96.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Appley Bridge is violent-crime, while in Cottam (preston) 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 Appley Bridge, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Cottam (preston). There are 2 schools in Appley Bridge and 2 in Cottam (preston).
Appley Bridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cottam (Preston) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Appley Bridge | Cottam (Preston) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 416.7 Mbps in Appley Bridge and 326.0 Mbps in Cottam (preston). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Appley Bridge and 91.4% in Cottam (preston). Gigabit availability stands at 80.8% in Appley Bridge and 58.7% in Cottam (preston).
Appley Bridge is the faster of the two by 28% on average download speed (417 vs 326 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cottam (preston) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Appley Bridge averages 71.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,138 in Appley Bridge and £1,166 in Cottam (preston). 68.2% of homes in Appley Bridge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.9% in Cottam (preston).
Appley Bridge has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 65.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,456.7 in Appley Bridge and £31,406.2 in Cottam (preston). The median age is 44.1 in Appley Bridge and 45.6 in Cottam (preston). Owner-occupancy is 69.7% in Appley Bridge versus 70.3% in Cottam (preston). Employment rates stand at 57.1% in Appley Bridge and 55.4% in Cottam (preston).
| Indicator | Appley Bridge | Cottam (Preston) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,131 | 5,507 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 45.6 |
| Median Household Income | £31,456.7 | £31,406.2 |
| Employment Rate | 57.1% | 55.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.7% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 31.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Appley Bridge and Cottam (preston)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Appley Bridge or Cottam (preston)?
Is Appley Bridge or Cottam (preston) safer?
Which has better schools, Appley Bridge or Cottam (preston)?
Which has faster broadband, Appley Bridge or Cottam (preston)?
Keep exploring