Atherton vs Billinge
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Atherton wins on house prices with a 27% gap. Billinge has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Billinge
£261,331
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Billinge
86.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Billinge
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Billinge
460.4
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Billinge
71.4
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Billinge
£30,580
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Billinge commands an average of £261,331, compared with £190,266 in Atherton – a difference of 27%. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Billinge it is a flat at £88,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 35% pricier in Atherton (£118,767 vs £88,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Billinge prices grew faster — 40% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Billinge experience less crime overall, with a rate of 86.8 per 1,000 versus 92.3 per 1,000 in Atherton. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Billinge 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 Atherton, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Billinge. There are 11 schools in Atherton and 3 in Billinge.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Billinge School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Billinge |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 3 |
| Primary | 10 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 463.3 Mbps in Atherton and 460.4 Mbps in Billinge. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 96.9% in Billinge. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 90.5% in Billinge.
Atherton is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (463 vs 460 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Atherton, scoring 71.4 on average (band C) compared to 71.4 (band C) in Billinge. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,109 in Billinge. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.4% in Billinge.
Billinge has more energy-efficient housing — 67.4% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,579.7 in Billinge and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 44.1 in Billinge. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 55.6% in Billinge. Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 67.1% in Billinge. Atherton has a population of 27,321 and Billinge has 4,963.
| Indicator | Atherton | Billinge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 4,963 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 44.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £30,579.7 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 55.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 67.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 27.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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