Backworth vs Chester-le-Street
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Chester Le Street wins on house prices with a 51% gap. Backworth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backworth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backworth
£278,446
Chester-le-Street
£184,121
Crime Rate
Backworth
81.9
Chester-le-Street
89.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backworth
100.0%
Chester-le-Street
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Backworth
445.7
Chester-le-Street
406.6
EPC Rating
Backworth
72
Chester-le-Street
71.8
Median Income
Backworth
£30,205
Chester-le-Street
£28,058
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Backworth commands an average of £278,446, compared with £184,121 in Chester Le Street – a difference of 51%. The most affordable entry point in Backworth is a terraced at £121,738, while in Chester Le Street it is a flat at £68,516.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 97% pricier in Backworth (£135,000 vs £68,516).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Backworth prices grew faster — 31% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Backworth experience less crime overall, with a rate of 81.9 per 1,000 versus 89.4 per 1,000 in Chester Le Street. The most common crime category in Backworth is violent-crime, while in Chester Le Street 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 EastFamilies may prefer Backworth, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Chester Le Street. There are 1 schools in Backworth and 8 in Chester Le Street.
Backworth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chester-le-Street School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backworth | Chester-le-Street |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 8 |
| Primary | 1 | 6 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 445.7 Mbps in Backworth and 406.6 Mbps in Chester Le Street. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.4% of premises in Backworth and 94.8% in Chester Le Street. Gigabit availability stands at 87.2% in Backworth and 78.4% in Chester Le Street.
Backworth is the faster of the two by 10% on average download speed (446 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Backworth leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72 (C), while Chester Le Street averages 71.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Backworth and £1,117 in Chester Le Street. 68.8% of homes in Backworth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.2% in Chester Le Street.
Chester Le Street has more energy-efficient housing — 69.2% reach band C or above, vs 68.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,204.5 in Backworth and £28,058.3 in Chester Le Street. The median age is 46.2 in Backworth and 44.5 in Chester Le Street. Owner-occupancy is 64.5% in Backworth versus 59.5% in Chester Le Street. Employment rates stand at 54.5% in Backworth and 52.4% in Chester Le Street.
| Indicator | Backworth | Chester-le-Street |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,483 | 23,554 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,204.5 | £28,058.3 |
| Employment Rate | 54.5% | 52.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.5% | 59.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.8% | 26.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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