Astley vs Skelmersdale
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Skelmersdale is about 21% cheaper on average. Skelmersdale has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Astley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Astley
£276,658
Skelmersdale
£228,572
Crime Rate
Astley
92.3
Skelmersdale
48.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Astley
100.0%
Skelmersdale
83.3%
Avg Download Speed
Astley
462
Skelmersdale
316.7
EPC Rating
Astley
73.2
Skelmersdale
70.6
Median Income
Astley
£30,499
Skelmersdale
£31,131
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Skelmersdale is £228,572, which is 21% less than Astley at £276,658. The most affordable entry point in Astley is a flat at £116,750, while in Skelmersdale it is a flat at £115,267.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 69% pricier in Astley (£211,438 vs £125,032).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Skelmersdale prices grew faster — 36% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Skelmersdale (48.3 per 1,000) compared to Astley (92.3 per 1,000), a 91% difference. The most common crime category in Astley is violent-crime, while in Skelmersdale 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 WestAstley has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 83.3% in Skelmersdale. Astley has 3 schools in total, while Skelmersdale has 18.
Astley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Skelmersdale School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 18 schools (16 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Astley | Skelmersdale |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 18 |
| Primary | 2 | 16 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 83.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Astley offers faster average downloads at 462.0 Mbps, compared to 316.7 Mbps in Skelmersdale. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Astley and 95% in Skelmersdale. Gigabit availability stands at 91.5% in Astley and 52.6% in Skelmersdale.
Astley is the faster of the two by 46% on average download speed (462 vs 317 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Astley are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 73.2 (band C) versus 70.6 (band C) in Skelmersdale. Estimated annual energy costs average £983 in Astley and £1,271 in Skelmersdale. 74.8% of homes in Astley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.7% in Skelmersdale.
Astley has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 64.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,131 in Skelmersdale and £30,499 in Astley. The median age is 40.5 in Astley and 45 in Skelmersdale. Employment rates stand at 58.1% in Astley and 54.5% in Skelmersdale. Owner-occupancy is 56.7% in Astley versus 70.7% in Skelmersdale.
| Indicator | Astley | Skelmersdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,735 | 34,921 |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 45 |
| Median Household Income | £30,499 | £31,131 |
| Employment Rate | 58.1% | 54.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 56.7% | 70.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.6% | 30% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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