Bacup vs Colne
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Colne is about 5% cheaper on average. Bacup has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bacup edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bacup
£190,117
Colne
£180,447
Crime Rate
Bacup
64.2
Colne
69.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bacup
83.3%
Colne
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bacup
230
Colne
311
EPC Rating
Bacup
69.3
Colne
68.4
Median Income
Bacup
£30,420
Colne
£27,268
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Colne is £180,447, which is 5% less than Bacup at £190,117. The most affordable entry point in Bacup is a terraced at £120,647, while in Colne it is a flat at £120,650.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 22% pricier in Colne (£226,976 vs £176,447).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bacup prices grew faster — 57% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Bacup (64.2 per 1,000) compared to Colne (69.2 per 1,000), a 8% difference. The most common crime category in Bacup is violent-crime, while in Colne 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 WestBacup has 83.3% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 75% in Colne. Bacup has 6 schools in total, while Colne has 10.
Bacup School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 6 schools (6 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Colne School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 10 schools (7 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bacup | Colne |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 10 |
| Primary | 6 | 7 |
| Secondary | 0 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Colne offers faster average downloads at 311.0 Mbps, compared to 230.0 Mbps in Bacup. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.2% of premises in Bacup and 92.1% in Colne. Gigabit availability stands at 23.4% in Bacup and 56.1% in Colne.
Colne is the faster of the two by 35% on average download speed (311 vs 230 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Bacup are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 69.3 (band C) versus 68.4 (band C) in Colne. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,398 in Bacup and £1,391 in Colne. 59.9% of homes in Bacup have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.3% in Colne.
Bacup has more energy-efficient housing — 59.9% reach band C or above, vs 53.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,420 in Bacup and £27,268 in Colne. The median age is 43.3 in Bacup and 41.4 in Colne. Employment rates stand at 57.8% in Bacup and 52.7% in Colne. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Bacup versus 65% in Colne.
| Indicator | Bacup | Colne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,194 | 18,914 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 41.4 |
| Median Household Income | £30,420 | £27,268 |
| Employment Rate | 57.8% | 52.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 65% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.7% | 25.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bacup and Colne?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bacup or Colne?
Is Bacup or Colne safer?
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