Ashton-in-Makerfield vs Little Lever
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Ashton In Makerfield wins on house prices with a 16% gap. Ashton In Makerfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Little Lever edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ashton-in-Makerfield
£170,063
Little Lever
£202,511
Crime Rate
Ashton-in-Makerfield
92.3
Little Lever
98.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ashton-in-Makerfield
90.9%
Little Lever
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ashton-in-Makerfield
420
Little Lever
462
EPC Rating
Ashton-in-Makerfield
71.8
Little Lever
71.2
Median Income
Ashton-in-Makerfield
£30,304
Little Lever
£29,707
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £170,063, Ashton In Makerfield undercuts Little Lever (£202,511) by around 16% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ashton In Makerfield is a flat at £82,714, while in Little Lever it is a flat at £144,800.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 43% pricier in Little Lever (£144,800 vs £82,714).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Little Lever prices grew faster — 63% vs 13%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Ashton In Makerfield experience less crime overall, with a rate of 92.3 per 1,000 versus 98.5 per 1,000 in Little Lever. The most common crime category in Ashton In Makerfield is violent-crime, while in Little Lever 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 11 schools in Ashton In Makerfield, 90.9% are in the top two inspection bands. In Little Lever, which has 6 schools, the figure is 100%.
Ashton-in-Makerfield School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Little Lever School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ashton-in-Makerfield | Little Lever |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 6 |
| Primary | 8 | 5 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Little Lever averages 462.0 Mbps – ahead of Ashton In Makerfield's 420.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.7% of premises in Ashton In Makerfield and 98.3% in Little Lever. Gigabit availability stands at 81.4% in Ashton In Makerfield and 89.6% in Little Lever.
Little Lever is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (462 vs 420 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Ashton In Makerfield, scoring 71.8 on average (band C) compared to 71.2 (band C) in Little Lever. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,028 in Ashton In Makerfield and £1,155 in Little Lever. 68.8% of homes in Ashton In Makerfield have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.1% in Little Lever.
Ashton In Makerfield has more energy-efficient housing — 68.8% reach band C or above, vs 66.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,304 in Ashton In Makerfield and £29,706.5 in Little Lever. The median age is 43.6 in Ashton In Makerfield and 41.5 in Little Lever. Employment rates stand at 56.2% in Ashton In Makerfield and 55.5% in Little Lever. Owner-occupancy is 65.3% in Ashton In Makerfield versus 64.2% in Little Lever. Ashton In Makerfield has a population of 26,367 and Little Lever has 12,524.
| Indicator | Ashton-in-Makerfield | Little Lever |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,367 | 12,524 |
| Median Age | 43.6 | 41.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,304 | £29,706.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56.2% | 55.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.3% | 64.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.5% | 29.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ashton In Makerfield and Little Lever?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ashton In Makerfield or Little Lever?
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