Appley Bridge vs Skelmersdale
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Skelmersdale is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 16% lower. Skelmersdale has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Appley Bridge edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Appley Bridge
£265,435
Skelmersdale
£228,572
Crime Rate
Appley Bridge
92.4
Skelmersdale
48.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Appley Bridge
100.0%
Skelmersdale
83.3%
Avg Download Speed
Appley Bridge
416.7
Skelmersdale
316.7
EPC Rating
Appley Bridge
71.7
Skelmersdale
70.6
Median Income
Appley Bridge
£31,457
Skelmersdale
£31,131
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Appley Bridge commands an average of £265,435, compared with £228,572 in Skelmersdale – a difference of 16%. The most affordable entry point in Appley Bridge is a flat at £154,500, while in Skelmersdale it is a flat at £115,267.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 56% pricier in Appley Bridge (£194,722 vs £125,032).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Skelmersdale prices grew faster — 36% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestSkelmersdale has a crime rate of 48.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 91% lower than Appley Bridge at 92.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Appley Bridge is violent-crime, while in Skelmersdale 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 83.3% in Skelmersdale. There are 2 schools in Appley Bridge and 18 in Skelmersdale.
Appley Bridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Skelmersdale School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 18 schools (16 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Appley Bridge | Skelmersdale |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 18 |
| Primary | 2 | 16 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 83.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 416.7 Mbps in Appley Bridge and 316.7 Mbps in Skelmersdale. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Appley Bridge and 95% in Skelmersdale. Gigabit availability stands at 80.8% in Appley Bridge and 52.6% in Skelmersdale.
Appley Bridge is the faster of the two by 32% on average download speed (417 vs 317 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Appley Bridge, scoring 71.7 on average (band C) compared to 70.6 (band C) in Skelmersdale. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,138 in Appley Bridge and £1,271 in Skelmersdale. 68.2% of homes in Appley Bridge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.7% in Skelmersdale.
Appley Bridge has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 64.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,456.7 in Appley Bridge and £31,131 in Skelmersdale. The median age is 44.1 in Appley Bridge and 45 in Skelmersdale. Employment rates stand at 57.1% in Appley Bridge and 54.5% in Skelmersdale. Owner-occupancy is 69.7% in Appley Bridge versus 70.7% in Skelmersdale. Appley Bridge has a population of 5,131 and Skelmersdale has 34,921.
| Indicator | Appley Bridge | Skelmersdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,131 | 34,921 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 45 |
| Median Household Income | £31,456.7 | £31,131 |
| Employment Rate | 57.1% | 54.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.7% | 70.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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