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Ashton-in-Makerfield vs Horwich

Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.1 miles apart.

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The verdict

Property in Ashton In Makerfield is about 26% cheaper on average. Ashton In Makerfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Horwich edges ahead on school quality.

Avg House Price

Ashton-in-Makerfield

£170,063

Horwich

£231,060

Crime Rate

Ashton-in-Makerfield

92.3

Horwich

98.4

Top-Two School Inspection Bands

Ashton-in-Makerfield

90.9%

Horwich

100.0%

Avg Download Speed

Ashton-in-Makerfield

420

Horwich

430.5

EPC Rating

Ashton-in-Makerfield

71.8

Horwich

72.2

Median Income

Ashton-in-Makerfield

£30,304

Horwich

£30,334

Buyers will find Ashton In Makerfield more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £170,063 versus £231,060 in Horwich. The most affordable entry point in Ashton In Makerfield is a flat at £82,714, while in Horwich it is a flat at £125,800.

Average Price by Property Type (2025)

Biggest gap: flat homes are 34% pricier in Horwich (£125,800 vs £82,714).

Price Trend (11 Years)

Over the last 9 years, Horwich prices grew faster — 54% vs 13%.

Crime is lower in Ashton In Makerfield (92.3 per 1,000) compared to Horwich (98.4 per 1,000), a 7% difference. The most common crime category in Ashton In Makerfield is violent-crime, while in Horwich it is violent-crime.

Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)

Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.

School quality favours Horwich: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 90.9% in Ashton In Makerfield.

Ashton-in-Makerfield School Inspection Breakdown

90.9% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.

Horwich School Inspection Breakdown

100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.

MetricAshton-in-MakerfieldHorwich
Total Schools117
Primary86
Secondary31
% Top two bands90.9%100%

Broadband & Connectivity

Internet users in Horwich enjoy 430.5 Mbps on average, while Ashton In Makerfield lags behind at 420.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.7% of premises in Ashton In Makerfield and 94.3% in Horwich. Gigabit availability stands at 81.4% in Ashton In Makerfield and 83.4% in Horwich.

Horwich is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (431 vs 420 Mbps).

Energy Efficiency & Running Costs

The average EPC rating in Horwich is band C (score 72.2), ahead of Ashton In Makerfield's band C (score 71.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,028 in Ashton In Makerfield and £1,110 in Horwich. 68.8% of homes in Ashton In Makerfield have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.6% in Horwich.

Horwich has more energy-efficient housing — 69.6% reach band C or above, vs 68.8% in the other.

Demographics & Economy

Ashton In Makerfield has a population of 26,367 while Horwich has 20,703. Median household income is £30,333.5 in Horwich and £30,304 in Ashton In Makerfield. The median age is 43.6 in Ashton In Makerfield and 42.5 in Horwich. Employment rates stand at 56.2% in Ashton In Makerfield and 56.7% in Horwich.

IndicatorAshton-in-MakerfieldHorwich
Population26,36720,703
Median Age43.642.5
Median Household Income£30,304£30,333.5
Employment Rate56.2%56.7%
Owner Occupied65.3%66.8%
Degree-Level Qualified26.5%30.6%

Location

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How far apart are Ashton In Makerfield and Horwich?
Ashton In Makerfield and Horwich are approximately 8.1 miles apart as the crow flies.
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ashton In Makerfield or Horwich?
Ashton In Makerfield is cheaper, with an average house price of £170,063.
Is Ashton In Makerfield or Horwich safer?
Ashton In Makerfield has the lower crime rate at 92.3 per 1,000 residents.
Which has better schools, Ashton In Makerfield or Horwich?
Horwich has the higher share of schools in the top two inspection bands at 100%.
Which has faster broadband, Ashton In Makerfield or Horwich?
Horwich has faster average broadband at 430.5 Mbps.

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