Ashton-under-Lyne vs Astley
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Ashton Under Lyne wins on house prices with a 22% gap. Astley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ashton Under Lyne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ashton-under-Lyne
£214,995
Astley
£276,658
Crime Rate
Ashton-under-Lyne
95.4
Astley
92.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ashton-under-Lyne
100.0%
Astley
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ashton-under-Lyne
432.6
Astley
462
EPC Rating
Ashton-under-Lyne
71
Astley
73.2
Median Income
Ashton-under-Lyne
£29,325
Astley
£30,499
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £214,995, Ashton Under Lyne undercuts Astley (£276,658) by around 22% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ashton Under Lyne is a flat at £96,089, while in Astley it is a flat at £116,750.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 22% pricier in Astley (£211,438 vs £164,634).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ashton Under Lyne prices grew faster — 65% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Astley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 92.3 per 1,000 versus 95.4 per 1,000 in Ashton Under Lyne. The most common crime category in Ashton Under Lyne is violent-crime, while in Astley 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 19 schools in Ashton Under Lyne, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Astley, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Ashton-under-Lyne School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 19 schools (17 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Astley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ashton-under-Lyne | Astley |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 19 | 3 |
| Primary | 17 | 2 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Astley averages 462.0 Mbps – ahead of Ashton Under Lyne's 432.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Ashton Under Lyne and 96.1% in Astley. Gigabit availability stands at 83.8% in Ashton Under Lyne and 91.5% in Astley.
Astley is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (462 vs 433 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Astley, scoring 73.2 on average (band C) compared to 71 (band C) in Ashton Under Lyne. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Ashton Under Lyne and £983 in Astley. 70% of homes in Ashton Under Lyne have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 74.8% in Astley.
Astley has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 70% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,499 in Astley and £29,324.5 in Ashton Under Lyne. The median age is 40.6 in Ashton Under Lyne and 40.5 in Astley. Employment rates stand at 54.8% in Ashton Under Lyne and 58.1% in Astley. Owner-occupancy is 60.6% in Ashton Under Lyne versus 56.7% in Astley. Ashton Under Lyne has a population of 48,595 and Astley has 4,735.
| Indicator | Ashton-under-Lyne | Astley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,595 | 4,735 |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 40.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,324.5 | £30,499 |
| Employment Rate | 54.8% | 58.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.6% | 56.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.5% | 29.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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