Atherton vs Bolton (Bolton)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Atherton offers lower property prices by roughly 27%. Atherton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Bolton (Bolton)
£261,398
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Bolton (Bolton)
98.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Bolton (Bolton)
96.5%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Bolton (Bolton)
437.3
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Bolton (Bolton)
71.4
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Bolton (Bolton)
£27,821
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Atherton is £190,266, which is 27% less than Bolton (bolton) at £261,398. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Bolton (bolton) it is a flat at £133,932.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Bolton (bolton) (£412,754 vs £337,040).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bolton (bolton) prices grew faster — 36% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Atherton (92.3 per 1,000) compared to Bolton (bolton) (98.4 per 1,000), a 7% difference. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Bolton (bolton) 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 WestAtherton has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 96.5% in Bolton (bolton). Atherton has 11 schools in total, while Bolton (bolton) has 72.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bolton (Bolton) School Inspection Breakdown
96.5% of 72 schools (60 primary, 12 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Bolton (Bolton) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 72 |
| Primary | 10 | 60 |
| Secondary | 1 | 12 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 96.5% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Atherton offers faster average downloads at 463.3 Mbps, compared to 437.3 Mbps in Bolton (bolton). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 96.1% in Bolton (bolton). Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 83.2% in Bolton (bolton).
Atherton is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (463 vs 437 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Atherton are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 71.4 (band C) versus 71.4 (band C) in Bolton (bolton). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,126 in Bolton (bolton). 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.2% in Bolton (bolton).
Atherton has more energy-efficient housing — 66.6% reach band C or above, vs 66.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,107 in Atherton and £27,821 in Bolton (bolton). The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 40.8 in Bolton (bolton). Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 54% in Bolton (bolton). Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 61.5% in Bolton (bolton).
| Indicator | Atherton | Bolton (Bolton) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 184,618 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 40.8 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £27,821 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 61.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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