Bacup vs Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bacup wins on house prices with a 17% gap. Bacup has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bacup
£190,117
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
£228,340
Crime Rate
Bacup
64.2
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
84.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bacup
83.3%
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
97.7%
Avg Download Speed
Bacup
230
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
398.1
EPC Rating
Bacup
69.3
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
71.8
Median Income
Bacup
£30,420
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
£30,947
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) commands an average of £228,340, compared with £190,117 in Bacup – a difference of 17%. The most affordable entry point in Bacup is a terraced at £120,647, while in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) it is a flat at £101,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 14% pricier in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) (£206,336 vs £176,447).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bacup prices grew faster — 57% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Bacup experience less crime overall, with a rate of 64.2 per 1,000 versus 84.2 per 1,000 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). The most common crime category in Bacup is violent-crime, while in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) 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 WestFamilies may prefer Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen), where 97.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 83.3% in Bacup. There are 6 schools in Bacup and 52 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen).
Bacup School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 6 schools (6 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) School Inspection Breakdown
97.7% of 52 schools (43 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bacup | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 52 |
| Primary | 6 | 43 |
| Secondary | 0 | 9 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 97.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 398.1 Mbps in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 230.0 Mbps in Bacup. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.2% of premises in Bacup and 95.5% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). Gigabit availability stands at 23.4% in Bacup and 76.3% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen).
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) is the faster of the two by 73% on average download speed (398 vs 230 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Bacup averages 69.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,398 in Bacup and £1,178 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). 59.9% of homes in Bacup have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.9% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen).
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) has more energy-efficient housing — 65.9% reach band C or above, vs 59.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,947.2 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and £30,420 in Bacup. The median age is 43.3 in Bacup and 44 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Bacup versus 71% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). Employment rates stand at 57.8% in Bacup and 57.9% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen).
| Indicator | Bacup | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,194 | 124,958 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £30,420 | £30,947.2 |
| Employment Rate | 57.8% | 57.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 71% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.7% | 33.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bacup and Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bacup or Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen)?
Is Bacup or Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) safer?
Which has better schools, Bacup or Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen)?
Which has faster broadband, Bacup or Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen)?
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