Appley Bridge vs Kirkby
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Kirkby is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 30% lower. Kirkby has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Appley Bridge edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Appley Bridge
£265,435
Kirkby
£204,463
Crime Rate
Appley Bridge
92.4
Kirkby
81.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Appley Bridge
100.0%
Kirkby
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Appley Bridge
416.7
Kirkby
424
EPC Rating
Appley Bridge
71.7
Kirkby
71.8
Median Income
Appley Bridge
£31,457
Kirkby
£31,017
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Appley Bridge commands an average of £265,435, compared with £204,463 in Kirkby – a difference of 30%. The most affordable entry point in Appley Bridge is a flat at £154,500, while in Kirkby it is a flat at £79,493.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 94% pricier in Appley Bridge (£154,500 vs £79,493).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Kirkby prices grew faster — 68% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestKirkby has a crime rate of 81.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 13% lower than Appley Bridge at 92.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Appley Bridge is violent-crime, while in Kirkby 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 81.8% in Kirkby. There are 2 schools in Appley Bridge and 15 in Kirkby.
Appley Bridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkby School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 15 schools (13 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Appley Bridge | Kirkby |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 15 |
| Primary | 2 | 13 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 424.0 Mbps in Kirkby and 416.7 Mbps in Appley Bridge. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Appley Bridge and 96.8% in Kirkby. Gigabit availability stands at 80.8% in Appley Bridge and 82.1% in Kirkby.
Kirkby is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (424 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Kirkby 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 £1,128 in Kirkby. 68.2% of homes in Appley Bridge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.6% in Kirkby.
Kirkby has more energy-efficient housing — 69.6% reach band C or above, vs 68.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,456.7 in Appley Bridge and £31,017 in Kirkby. The median age is 44.1 in Appley Bridge and 43.4 in Kirkby. Owner-occupancy is 69.7% in Appley Bridge versus 65.1% in Kirkby. Employment rates stand at 57.1% in Appley Bridge and 55.2% in Kirkby.
| Indicator | Appley Bridge | Kirkby |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,131 | 45,559 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £31,456.7 | £31,017 |
| Employment Rate | 57.1% | 55.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.7% | 65.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 26.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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