Astley vs Bowdon
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Astley is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 71% lower. Bowdon has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Astley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Astley
£276,658
Bowdon
£952,908
Crime Rate
Astley
92.3
Bowdon
74.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Astley
100.0%
Bowdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Astley
462
Bowdon
433.1
EPC Rating
Astley
73.2
Bowdon
70.8
Median Income
Astley
£30,499
Bowdon
£32,892
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Bowdon commands an average of £952,908, compared with £276,658 in Astley – a difference of 71%. The most affordable entry point in Astley is a flat at £116,750, while in Bowdon it is a terraced at £580,727.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 83% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £116,750).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowdon prices grew faster — 40% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBowdon has a crime rate of 74 per 1,000 residents, which is 25% lower than Astley at 92.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Astley is violent-crime, while in Bowdon 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 Astley, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Bowdon. There are 3 schools in Astley and 4 in Bowdon.
Astley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Astley | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 4 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.0 Mbps in Astley and 433.1 Mbps in Bowdon. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Astley and 94.2% in Bowdon. Gigabit availability stands at 91.5% in Astley and 83% in Bowdon.
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 70.8 (band C) in Bowdon. Estimated annual energy costs average £983 in Astley and £1,206 in Bowdon. 74.8% of homes in Astley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.9% in Bowdon.
Astley has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 62.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Bowdon and £30,499 in Astley. The median age is 40.5 in Astley and 44.2 in Bowdon. Employment rates stand at 58.1% in Astley and 59.1% in Bowdon. Owner-occupancy is 56.7% in Astley versus 70.5% in Bowdon. Astley has a population of 4,735 and Bowdon has 6,107.
| Indicator | Astley | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,735 | 6,107 |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,499 | £32,891.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.1% | 59.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 56.7% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.6% | 40.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Astley and Bowdon?
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