Backworth vs Houghton-le-Spring
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Houghton Le Spring wins on house prices with a 77% gap. Backworth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backworth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backworth
£278,446
Houghton-le-Spring
£157,342
Crime Rate
Backworth
81.9
Houghton-le-Spring
94.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backworth
100.0%
Houghton-le-Spring
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Backworth
445.7
Houghton-le-Spring
455.9
EPC Rating
Backworth
72
Houghton-le-Spring
72.4
Median Income
Backworth
£30,205
Houghton-le-Spring
£28,343
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Backworth commands an average of £278,446, compared with £157,342 in Houghton Le Spring – a difference of 77%. The most affordable entry point in Backworth is a terraced at £121,738, while in Houghton Le Spring it is a flat at £77,498.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 74% pricier in Backworth (£135,000 vs £77,498).
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 94.5 per 1,000 in Houghton Le Spring. The most common crime category in Backworth is violent-crime, while in Houghton Le Spring 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 Houghton Le Spring. There are 1 schools in Backworth and 6 in Houghton Le Spring.
Backworth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Houghton-le-Spring School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backworth | Houghton-le-Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 6 |
| Primary | 1 | 5 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 455.9 Mbps in Houghton Le Spring and 445.7 Mbps in Backworth. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.4% of premises in Backworth and 96.4% in Houghton Le Spring. Gigabit availability stands at 87.2% in Backworth and 89.1% in Houghton Le Spring.
Houghton Le Spring is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (456 vs 446 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Houghton Le Spring, scoring 72.4 on average (band C) compared to 72 (band C) in Backworth. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Backworth and £1,124 in Houghton Le Spring. 68.8% of homes in Backworth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.4% in Houghton Le Spring.
Houghton Le Spring has more energy-efficient housing — 71.4% reach band C or above, vs 68.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,204.5 in Backworth and £28,342.5 in Houghton Le Spring. The median age is 46.2 in Backworth and 44.5 in Houghton Le Spring. Employment rates stand at 54.5% in Backworth and 51.5% in Houghton Le Spring. Owner-occupancy is 64.5% in Backworth versus 60.3% in Houghton Le Spring. Backworth has a population of 4,483 and Houghton Le Spring has 12,552.
| Indicator | Backworth | Houghton-le-Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,483 | 12,552 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,204.5 | £28,342.5 |
| Employment Rate | 54.5% | 51.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.5% | 60.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.8% | 25.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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