Atherton vs Culcheth
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Atherton wins on house prices with a 53% gap. Culcheth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Culcheth
£404,441
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Culcheth
68.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Culcheth
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Culcheth
424.5
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Culcheth
72.6
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Culcheth
£30,915
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Culcheth commands an average of £404,441, compared with £190,266 in Atherton – a difference of 53%. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Culcheth it is a flat at £161,214.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 47% pricier in Culcheth (£284,115 vs £151,296).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Culcheth prices grew faster — 44% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Culcheth experience less crime overall, with a rate of 68.9 per 1,000 versus 92.3 per 1,000 in Atherton. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Culcheth 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 100% in Culcheth. There are 11 schools in Atherton and 4 in Culcheth.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Culcheth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Culcheth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 4 |
| Primary | 10 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 463.3 Mbps in Atherton and 424.5 Mbps in Culcheth. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 93.5% in Culcheth. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 82.6% in Culcheth.
Atherton is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (463 vs 425 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Culcheth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.6 (C), while Atherton averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,007 in Culcheth. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.4% in Culcheth.
Culcheth has more energy-efficient housing — 72.4% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,914.8 in Culcheth and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 42.2 in Culcheth. Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 61.6% in Culcheth. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 57.7% in Culcheth.
| Indicator | Atherton | Culcheth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 6,722 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 42.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £30,914.8 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 57.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 61.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 29.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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