Atherton vs Chorley
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Atherton is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 33% lower. Chorley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Chorley
£286,099
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Chorley
56.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Chorley
94.1%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Chorley
441.5
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Chorley
72
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Chorley
£32,033
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Chorley commands an average of £286,099, compared with £190,266 in Atherton – a difference of 33%. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Chorley it is a flat at £115,085.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 10% pricier in Chorley (£167,325 vs £151,296).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chorley prices grew faster — 52% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestChorley has a crime rate of 56.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 63% lower than Atherton at 92.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Chorley 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 94.1% in Chorley. There are 11 schools in Atherton and 18 in Chorley.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chorley School Inspection Breakdown
94.1% of 18 schools (13 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Chorley |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 18 |
| Primary | 10 | 13 |
| Secondary | 1 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 94.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 463.3 Mbps in Atherton and 441.5 Mbps in Chorley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 95.2% in Chorley. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 84.7% in Chorley.
Atherton is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (463 vs 442 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Chorley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Atherton averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,144 in Chorley. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.2% in Chorley.
Chorley has more energy-efficient housing — 68.2% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,033.3 in Chorley and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 44.8 in Chorley. Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 72.9% in Chorley. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 57.9% in Chorley.
| Indicator | Atherton | Chorley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 39,539 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 44.8 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £32,033.3 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 72.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 31.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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