Backwell vs Locking
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Locking offers lower property prices by roughly 76%. Backwell has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backwell
£540,691
Locking
£308,002
Crime Rate
Backwell
82.4
Locking
82.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backwell
100.0%
Locking
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Backwell
409.8
Locking
348.4
EPC Rating
Backwell
71.4
Locking
69
Median Income
Backwell
£32,795
Locking
£29,605
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Locking more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £308,002 versus £540,691 in Backwell. The most affordable entry point in Backwell is a flat at £216,250, while in Locking it is a flat at £189,382.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 65% pricier in Backwell (£683,746 vs £414,521).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Backwell prices grew faster — 41% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestWith 82.4 offences per 1,000 people, Backwell is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Locking's 82.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Backwell is violent-crime, while in Locking 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 100% in Locking.
Backwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Locking School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backwell | Locking |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Backwell enjoy 409.8 Mbps on average, while Locking lags behind at 348.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.7% of premises in Backwell and 92.8% in Locking. Gigabit availability stands at 80.3% in Backwell and 64.8% in Locking.
Backwell is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (410 vs 348 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Backwell is band C (score 71.4), ahead of Locking's band C (score 69). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,179 in Backwell and £1,326 in Locking. 65.2% of homes in Backwell have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.4% in Locking.
Backwell has more energy-efficient housing — 65.2% reach band C or above, vs 59.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Backwell has a population of 4,347 while Locking has 3,819. Median household income is £32,795 in Backwell and £29,604.6 in Locking. The median age is 46.9 in Backwell and 47.3 in Locking. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Backwell and 56.9% in Locking.
| Indicator | Backwell | Locking |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,347 | 3,819 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £32,795 | £29,604.6 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 56.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.6% | 68.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.9% | 31.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Backwell and Locking?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Backwell or Locking?
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