Backwell vs Okehampton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 71.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Okehampton wins on house prices with a 71% gap. Okehampton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backwell
£540,691
Okehampton
£316,475
Crime Rate
Backwell
82.4
Okehampton
58.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backwell
100.0%
Okehampton
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Backwell
409.8
Okehampton
208.1
EPC Rating
Backwell
71.4
Okehampton
68
Median Income
Backwell
£32,795
Okehampton
£27,209
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Backwell commands an average of £540,691, compared with £316,475 in Okehampton – a difference of 71%. The most affordable entry point in Backwell is a flat at £216,250, while in Okehampton it is a flat at £131,299.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 69% pricier in Backwell (£683,746 vs £403,861).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Backwell prices grew faster — 41% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestResidents of Okehampton experience less crime overall, with a rate of 58 per 1,000 versus 82.4 per 1,000 in Backwell. The most common crime category in Backwell is violent-crime, while in Okehampton 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 WestFamilies may prefer Backwell, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Okehampton. There are 3 schools in Backwell and 3 in Okehampton.
Backwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Okehampton School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backwell | Okehampton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 3 |
| Primary | 2 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 409.8 Mbps in Backwell and 208.1 Mbps in Okehampton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.7% of premises in Backwell and 64.9% in Okehampton. Gigabit availability stands at 80.3% in Backwell and 36.1% in Okehampton.
Backwell is the faster of the two by 97% on average download speed (410 vs 208 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Backwell leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.4 (C), while Okehampton averages 68 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,179 in Backwell and £1,454 in Okehampton. 65.2% of homes in Backwell have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.5% in Okehampton.
Backwell has more energy-efficient housing — 65.2% reach band C or above, vs 55.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,795 in Backwell and £27,209.3 in Okehampton. The median age is 46.9 in Backwell and 49.1 in Okehampton. Owner-occupancy is 71.6% in Backwell versus 69.4% in Okehampton. Employment rates stand at 57.5% in Backwell and 54.6% in Okehampton.
| Indicator | Backwell | Okehampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,347 | 9,108 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 49.1 |
| Median Household Income | £32,795 | £27,209.3 |
| Employment Rate | 57.5% | 54.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.6% | 69.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.9% | 30.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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