Astley vs Horwich
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Horwich is about 20% cheaper on average. Astley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Astley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Astley
£276,658
Horwich
£231,060
Crime Rate
Astley
92.3
Horwich
98.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Astley
100.0%
Horwich
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Astley
462
Horwich
430.5
EPC Rating
Astley
73.2
Horwich
72.2
Median Income
Astley
£30,499
Horwich
£30,334
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Horwich more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £231,060 versus £276,658 in Astley. The most affordable entry point in Astley is a flat at £116,750, while in Horwich it is a flat at £125,800.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 30% pricier in Astley (£211,438 vs £162,598).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Horwich prices grew faster — 54% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 92.3 offences per 1,000 people, Astley is the safer of the two – 7% lower than Horwich's 98.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Astley 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.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in North WestSchool quality favours Astley: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Horwich.
Astley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 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.
| Metric | Astley | Horwich |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 7 |
| Primary | 2 | 6 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Astley enjoy 462.0 Mbps on average, while Horwich lags behind at 430.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Astley and 94.3% in Horwich. Gigabit availability stands at 91.5% in Astley and 83.4% in Horwich.
Astley is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (462 vs 431 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Astley is band C (score 73.2), ahead of Horwich's band C (score 72.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £983 in Astley and £1,110 in Horwich. 74.8% of homes in Astley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.6% in Horwich.
Astley has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 69.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Astley has a population of 4,735 while Horwich has 20,703. Median household income is £30,499 in Astley and £30,333.5 in Horwich. The median age is 40.5 in Astley and 42.5 in Horwich. Employment rates stand at 58.1% in Astley and 56.7% in Horwich.
| Indicator | Astley | Horwich |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,735 | 20,703 |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,499 | £30,333.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.1% | 56.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 56.7% | 66.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.6% | 30.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Astley and Horwich?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Astley or Horwich?
Is Astley or Horwich safer?
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