Backworth vs Rowlands Gill
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Rowlands Gill is about 18% cheaper on average. Backworth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Backworth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Backworth
£278,446
Rowlands Gill
£235,861
Crime Rate
Backworth
81.9
Rowlands Gill
90.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Backworth
100.0%
Rowlands Gill
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Backworth
445.7
Rowlands Gill
380.3
EPC Rating
Backworth
72
Rowlands Gill
71
Median Income
Backworth
£30,205
Rowlands Gill
£27,952
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastBuyers will find Rowlands Gill more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £235,861 versus £278,446 in Backworth. The most affordable entry point in Backworth is a terraced at £121,738, while in Rowlands Gill it is a terraced at £129,904.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 15% pricier in Backworth (£236,775 vs £206,674).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Rowlands Gill prices grew faster — 37% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastWith 81.9 offences per 1,000 people, Backworth is the safer of the two – 10% lower than Rowlands Gill's 90 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Backworth is violent-crime, while in Rowlands Gill 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 EastSchool quality favours Backworth: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Rowlands Gill.
Backworth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Rowlands Gill School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Backworth | Rowlands Gill |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 3 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Backworth enjoy 445.7 Mbps on average, while Rowlands Gill lags behind at 380.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.4% of premises in Backworth and 90.8% in Rowlands Gill. Gigabit availability stands at 87.2% in Backworth and 72.5% in Rowlands Gill.
Backworth is the faster of the two by 17% on average download speed (446 vs 380 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Backworth is band C (score 72), ahead of Rowlands Gill's band C (score 71). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Backworth and £1,147 in Rowlands Gill. 68.8% of homes in Backworth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.6% in Rowlands Gill.
Backworth has more energy-efficient housing — 68.8% reach band C or above, vs 66.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Backworth has a population of 4,483 while Rowlands Gill has 5,254. Median household income is £30,204.5 in Backworth and £27,952 in Rowlands Gill. The median age is 46.2 in Backworth and 44.5 in Rowlands Gill. Employment rates stand at 54.5% in Backworth and 52.7% in Rowlands Gill.
| Indicator | Backworth | Rowlands Gill |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,483 | 5,254 |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,204.5 | £27,952 |
| Employment Rate | 54.5% | 52.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.5% | 60.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.8% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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