Astley vs Prestwich
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Astley is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 11% lower. Prestwich has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Astley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Astley
£276,658
Prestwich
£312,556
Crime Rate
Astley
92.3
Prestwich
91.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Astley
100.0%
Prestwich
88.9%
Avg Download Speed
Astley
462
Prestwich
477.5
EPC Rating
Astley
73.2
Prestwich
72.6
Median Income
Astley
£30,499
Prestwich
£29,989
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Prestwich commands an average of £312,556, compared with £276,658 in Astley – a difference of 11%. The most affordable entry point in Astley is a flat at £116,750, while in Prestwich it is a flat at £167,920.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 30% pricier in Prestwich (£167,920 vs £116,750).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Prestwich prices grew faster — 57% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestPrestwich has a crime rate of 91.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 1% lower than Astley at 92.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Astley is violent-crime, while in Prestwich 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 88.9% in Prestwich. There are 3 schools in Astley and 11 in Prestwich.
Astley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Prestwich School Inspection Breakdown
88.9% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Astley | Prestwich |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 11 |
| Primary | 2 | 8 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 88.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 477.5 Mbps in Prestwich and 462.0 Mbps in Astley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Astley and 99.2% in Prestwich. Gigabit availability stands at 91.5% in Astley and 94.1% in Prestwich.
Prestwich is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (478 vs 462 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Astley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.2 (C), while Prestwich averages 72.6 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £983 in Astley and £1,050 in Prestwich. 74.8% of homes in Astley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.6% in Prestwich.
Astley has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 72.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,499 in Astley and £29,989 in Prestwich. The median age is 40.5 in Astley and 38.5 in Prestwich. Owner-occupancy is 56.7% in Astley versus 52.1% in Prestwich. Employment rates stand at 58.1% in Astley and 55.3% in Prestwich.
| Indicator | Astley | Prestwich |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,735 | 31,509 |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,499 | £29,989 |
| Employment Rate | 58.1% | 55.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 56.7% | 52.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.6% | 35% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Astley and Prestwich?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Astley or Prestwich?
Is Astley or Prestwich safer?
Which has better schools, Astley or Prestwich?
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