Backworth vs Bedlington
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bedlington wins on house prices with a 60% gap. Bedlington has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backworth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backworth
£278,446
Bedlington
£174,241
Crime Rate
Backworth
81.9
Bedlington
71.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backworth
100.0%
Bedlington
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Backworth
445.7
Bedlington
427.5
EPC Rating
Backworth
72
Bedlington
70.9
Median Income
Backworth
£30,205
Bedlington
£29,915
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastAt £174,241, Bedlington undercuts Backworth (£278,446) by around 60% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Backworth is a terraced at £121,738, while in Bedlington it is a flat at £61,933.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 118% pricier in Backworth (£135,000 vs £61,933).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Backworth prices grew faster — 31% vs 16%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Bedlington experience less crime overall, with a rate of 71.3 per 1,000 versus 81.9 per 1,000 in Backworth. The most common crime category in Backworth is violent-crime, while in Bedlington 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 EastOf the 1 schools in Backworth, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Bedlington, which has 8 schools, the figure is 75%.
Backworth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bedlington School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backworth | Bedlington |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 8 |
| Primary | 1 | 6 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Backworth averages 445.7 Mbps – ahead of Bedlington's 427.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.4% of premises in Backworth and 96.6% in Bedlington. Gigabit availability stands at 87.2% in Backworth and 81.9% in Bedlington.
Backworth is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (446 vs 428 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Backworth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Bedlington averages 70.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Backworth and £1,377 in Bedlington. 68.8% of homes in Backworth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.6% in Bedlington.
Backworth has more energy-efficient housing — 68.8% reach band C or above, vs 65.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,204.5 in Backworth and £29,915 in Bedlington. The median age is 46.2 in Backworth and 47.9 in Bedlington. Owner-occupancy is 64.5% in Backworth versus 65.2% in Bedlington. Employment rates stand at 54.5% in Backworth and 52.4% in Bedlington.
| Indicator | Backworth | Bedlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,483 | 16,186 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 47.9 |
| Median Household Income | £30,204.5 | £29,915 |
| Employment Rate | 54.5% | 52.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.5% | 65.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.8% | 30.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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