Atherton vs Bowdon
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Atherton offers lower property prices by roughly 80%. Bowdon has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Bowdon
£952,908
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Bowdon
74.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Bowdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Bowdon
433.1
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Bowdon
70.8
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Bowdon
£32,892
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Atherton is £190,266, which is 80% less than Bowdon at £952,908. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Bowdon it is a terraced at £580,727.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 82% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £118,767).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowdon prices grew faster — 40% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 74 offences per 1,000 people, Bowdon is the safer of the two – 25% lower than Atherton's 92.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Bowdon 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 100% in Bowdon. Atherton has 11 schools in total, while Bowdon has 4.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 4 |
| Primary | 10 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Atherton offers faster average downloads at 463.3 Mbps, compared to 433.1 Mbps in Bowdon. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 94.2% in Bowdon. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 83% in Bowdon.
Atherton is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (463 vs 433 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Atherton are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 71.4 (band C) versus 70.8 (band C) in Bowdon. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,206 in Bowdon. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.9% in Bowdon.
Atherton has more energy-efficient housing — 66.6% reach band C or above, vs 62.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Bowdon and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 44.2 in Bowdon. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 59.1% in Bowdon. Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 70.5% in Bowdon.
| Indicator | Atherton | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 6,107 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £32,891.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 59.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 40.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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