Backwell vs Bristol
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Bristol offers lower property prices by roughly 23%. Backwell has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backwell
£540,691
Bristol
£438,474
Crime Rate
Backwell
82.4
Bristol
130.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backwell
100.0%
Bristol
86.2%
Avg Download Speed
Backwell
409.8
Bristol
500
EPC Rating
Backwell
71.4
Bristol
71.3
Median Income
Backwell
£32,795
Bristol
£32,799
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Bristol more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £438,474 versus £540,691 in Backwell. The most affordable entry point in Backwell is a flat at £216,250, while in Bristol it is a flat at £278,270.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 23% pricier in Bristol (£392,319 vs £300,945).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Backwell prices grew faster — 41% vs 38%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Backwell (82.4 per 1,000) compared to Bristol (130.3 per 1,000), a 58% difference. The most common crime category in Backwell is violent-crime, while in Bristol 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 South WestSchool quality favours Backwell: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 86.2% in Bristol.
Backwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bristol School Inspection Breakdown
86.2% of 115 schools (93 primary, 22 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backwell | Bristol |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 115 |
| Primary | 2 | 93 |
| Secondary | 1 | 22 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 86.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bristol enjoy 500.0 Mbps on average, while Backwell lags behind at 409.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.7% of premises in Backwell and 100% in Bristol. Gigabit availability stands at 80.3% in Backwell and 100% in Bristol.
Bristol is the faster of the two by 22% on average download speed (500 vs 410 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Backwell is band C (score 71.4), ahead of Bristol's band C (score 71.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,179 in Backwell and £1,044 in Bristol. 65.2% of homes in Backwell have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.3% in Bristol.
Bristol has more energy-efficient housing — 66.3% reach band C or above, vs 65.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Backwell has a population of 4,347 while Bristol has 425,196. Median household income is £32,799 in Bristol and £32,795 in Backwell. The median age is 46.9 in Backwell and 38.2 in Bristol. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Backwell and 61.2% in Bristol.
| Indicator | Backwell | Bristol |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,347 | 425,196 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 38.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,795 | £32,799 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 61.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.6% | 54% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.9% | 42.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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