Audenshaw vs Bowdon
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Audenshaw wins on house prices with a 75% gap. Bowdon has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bowdon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Audenshaw
£238,857
Bowdon
£952,908
Crime Rate
Audenshaw
95.2
Bowdon
74.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Audenshaw
75.0%
Bowdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Audenshaw
467.6
Bowdon
433.1
EPC Rating
Audenshaw
70.5
Bowdon
70.8
Median Income
Audenshaw
£29,140
Bowdon
£32,892
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £238,857, Audenshaw undercuts Bowdon (£952,908) by around 75% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Audenshaw is a flat at £142,357, while in Bowdon it is a terraced at £580,727.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 79% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £142,357).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowdon prices grew faster — 40% vs 35%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Bowdon experience less crime overall, with a rate of 74 per 1,000 versus 95.2 per 1,000 in Audenshaw. The most common crime category in Audenshaw is violent-crime, while in Bowdon 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 WestOf the 4 schools in Audenshaw, 75% are in the top two inspection bands. In Bowdon, which has 4 schools, the figure is 100%.
Audenshaw School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Audenshaw | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 4 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 75% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Audenshaw averages 467.6 Mbps – ahead of Bowdon's 433.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Audenshaw and 94.2% in Bowdon. Gigabit availability stands at 90.3% in Audenshaw and 83% in Bowdon.
Audenshaw is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (468 vs 433 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bowdon leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.8 (C), while Audenshaw averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,073 in Audenshaw and £1,206 in Bowdon. 69.2% of homes in Audenshaw have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.9% in Bowdon.
Audenshaw has more energy-efficient housing — 69.2% reach band C or above, vs 62.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Bowdon and £29,140 in Audenshaw. The median age is 41.8 in Audenshaw and 44.2 in Bowdon. Owner-occupancy is 60.8% in Audenshaw versus 70.5% in Bowdon. Employment rates stand at 57.1% in Audenshaw and 59.1% in Bowdon.
| Indicator | Audenshaw | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,397 | 6,107 |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,140 | £32,891.5 |
| Employment Rate | 57.1% | 59.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.8% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.4% | 40.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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