Atherton vs Middleton (Rochdale)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Atherton is about 24% cheaper on average. Atherton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Middleton (Rochdale)
£249,020
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Middleton (Rochdale)
105.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Middleton (Rochdale)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Middleton (Rochdale)
429.5
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Middleton (Rochdale)
72.1
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Middleton (Rochdale)
£29,608
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Atherton more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £190,266 versus £249,020 in Middleton (rochdale). The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Middleton (rochdale) it is a flat at £101,905.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Middleton (rochdale) (£412,711 vs £337,040).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Middleton (rochdale) prices grew faster — 45% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Atherton (92.3 per 1,000) compared to Middleton (rochdale) (105.4 per 1,000), a 14% difference. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Middleton (rochdale) 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 WestSchool quality favours Atherton: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Middleton (rochdale).
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Middleton (Rochdale) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 16 schools (13 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Middleton (Rochdale) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 16 |
| Primary | 10 | 13 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Atherton enjoy 463.3 Mbps on average, while Middleton (rochdale) lags behind at 429.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 97.7% in Middleton (rochdale). Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 81.3% in Middleton (rochdale).
Atherton is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (463 vs 430 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Middleton (rochdale) is band C (score 72.1), ahead of Atherton's band C (score 71.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,084 in Middleton (rochdale). 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.8% in Middleton (rochdale).
Middleton (rochdale) has more energy-efficient housing — 71.8% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Atherton has a population of 27,321 while Middleton (rochdale) has 46,617. Median household income is £29,608.2 in Middleton (rochdale) and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 39.2 in Middleton (rochdale). Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 54.3% in Middleton (rochdale).
| Indicator | Atherton | Middleton (Rochdale) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 46,617 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 39.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £29,608.2 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 54.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 56.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 30.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Atherton and Middleton (rochdale)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Atherton or Middleton (rochdale)?
Is Atherton or Middleton (rochdale) safer?
Which has better schools, Atherton or Middleton (rochdale)?
Which has faster broadband, Atherton or Middleton (rochdale)?
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