Appley Bridge vs Walkden
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Appley Bridge wins on house prices with a 21% gap. 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
Walkden
£336,051
Crime Rate
Appley Bridge
92.4
Walkden
105.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Appley Bridge
100.0%
Walkden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Appley Bridge
416.7
Walkden
479.7
EPC Rating
Appley Bridge
71.7
Walkden
73.2
Median Income
Appley Bridge
£31,457
Walkden
£30,499
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £265,435, Appley Bridge undercuts Walkden (£336,051) by around 21% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Appley Bridge is a flat at £154,500, while in Walkden it is a flat at £154,356.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 19% pricier in Walkden (£294,208 vs £237,256).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Walkden prices grew faster — 54% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Appley Bridge experience less crime overall, with a rate of 92.4 per 1,000 versus 105.8 per 1,000 in Walkden. The most common crime category in Appley Bridge 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 WestOf the 2 schools in Appley Bridge, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Walkden, which has 9 schools, the figure is 100%.
Appley Bridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) 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 | Appley Bridge | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 9 |
| Primary | 2 | 8 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Walkden averages 479.7 Mbps – ahead of Appley Bridge's 416.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Appley Bridge and 98.7% in Walkden. Gigabit availability stands at 80.8% in Appley Bridge and 95.3% in Walkden.
Walkden is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (480 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Walkden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.2 (C), while Appley Bridge averages 71.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,138 in Appley Bridge and £983 in Walkden. 68.2% of homes in Appley Bridge 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 68.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,456.7 in Appley Bridge and £30,499 in Walkden. The median age is 44.1 in Appley Bridge and 40.5 in Walkden. Owner-occupancy is 69.7% in Appley Bridge versus 56.7% in Walkden. Employment rates stand at 57.1% in Appley Bridge and 58.1% in Walkden.
| Indicator | Appley Bridge | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,131 | 18,684 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 40.5 |
| Median Household Income | £31,456.7 | £30,499 |
| Employment Rate | 57.1% | 58.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.7% | 56.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 29.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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