Atherton vs Walkden
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Atherton is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 43% lower. Atherton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Walkden
£336,051
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Walkden
105.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Walkden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Walkden
479.7
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Walkden
73.2
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Walkden
£30,499
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Walkden commands an average of £336,051, compared with £190,266 in Atherton – a difference of 43%. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Walkden it is a flat at £154,356.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 32% pricier in Walkden (£294,208 vs £200,101).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Walkden prices grew faster — 54% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestAtherton has a crime rate of 92.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 15% lower than Walkden at 105.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Walkden 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 Walkden. There are 11 schools in Atherton and 9 in Walkden.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Walkden School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (8 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 9 |
| Primary | 10 | 8 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 479.7 Mbps in Walkden and 463.3 Mbps in Atherton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 98.7% in Walkden. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 95.3% in Walkden.
Walkden is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (480 vs 463 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Walkden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.2 (C), while Atherton averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £983 in Walkden. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 74.8% in Walkden.
Walkden has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,499 in Walkden and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 40.5 in Walkden. Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 56.7% in Walkden. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 58.1% in Walkden.
| Indicator | Atherton | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 18,684 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 40.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £30,499 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 58.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 56.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 29.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Atherton and Walkden?
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Is Atherton or Walkden safer?
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