Atherton vs Widnes
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Atherton wins on house prices with a 16% gap. Widnes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Atherton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Atherton
£190,266
Widnes
£225,546
Crime Rate
Atherton
92.3
Widnes
85.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Atherton
100.0%
Widnes
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Atherton
463.3
Widnes
426.2
EPC Rating
Atherton
71.4
Widnes
72.4
Median Income
Atherton
£29,107
Widnes
£30,888
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Widnes commands an average of £225,546, compared with £190,266 in Atherton – a difference of 16%. The most affordable entry point in Atherton is a flat at £118,767, while in Widnes it is a flat at £101,187.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 17% pricier in Atherton (£118,767 vs £101,187).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Widnes prices grew faster — 30% vs -12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Widnes experience less crime overall, with a rate of 85.7 per 1,000 versus 92.3 per 1,000 in Atherton. The most common crime category in Atherton is violent-crime, while in Widnes 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 Widnes. There are 11 schools in Atherton and 20 in Widnes.
Atherton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Widnes School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 20 schools (17 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Atherton | Widnes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 11 | 20 |
| Primary | 10 | 17 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 463.3 Mbps in Atherton and 426.2 Mbps in Widnes. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.4% of premises in Atherton and 95.2% in Widnes. Gigabit availability stands at 91.3% in Atherton and 83% in Widnes.
Atherton is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (463 vs 426 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Widnes leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.4 (C), while Atherton averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,087 in Atherton and £1,006 in Widnes. 66.6% of homes in Atherton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.2% in Widnes.
Widnes has more energy-efficient housing — 72.2% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,888.2 in Widnes and £29,107 in Atherton. The median age is 41.9 in Atherton and 43 in Widnes. Owner-occupancy is 64% in Atherton versus 63.2% in Widnes. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Atherton and 56.8% in Widnes.
| Indicator | Atherton | Widnes |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,321 | 59,938 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 43 |
| Median Household Income | £29,107 | £30,888.2 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 64% | 63.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.6% | 27% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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