Atherton vs Prestwich
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Atherton offers lower property prices by roughly 39%. Prestwich has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Prestwich
£312,556
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Prestwich
91.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Prestwich
88.9%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Prestwich
477.5
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Prestwich
72.6
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Prestwich
£29,989
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Atherton more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £190,266 versus £312,556 in Prestwich. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Prestwich it is a flat at £167,920.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 46% pricier in Prestwich (£282,379 vs £151,296).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Prestwich prices grew faster — 57% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 91.7 offences per 1,000 people, Prestwich is the safer of the two – 1% lower than Atherton's 92.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Prestwich 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 88.9% in Prestwich.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Prestwich School Inspection Breakdown
88.9% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Prestwich |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 11 |
| Primary | 10 | 8 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 88.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Prestwich enjoy 477.5 Mbps on average, while Atherton lags behind at 463.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 99.2% in Prestwich. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 94.1% in Prestwich.
Prestwich is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (478 vs 463 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Prestwich is band C (score 72.6), ahead of Atherton's band C (score 71.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,050 in Prestwich. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.6% in Prestwich.
Prestwich has more energy-efficient housing — 72.6% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Atherton has a population of 27,321 while Prestwich has 31,509. Median household income is £29,989 in Prestwich and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 38.5 in Prestwich. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 55.3% in Prestwich.
| Indicator | Atherton | Prestwich |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 31,509 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 38.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £29,989 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 55.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 52.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 35% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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