Bacup vs Littleborough
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Bacup is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 17% lower. Bacup has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Littleborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bacup
£190,117
Littleborough
£229,602
Crime Rate
Bacup
64.2
Littleborough
105.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bacup
83.3%
Littleborough
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bacup
230
Littleborough
311.4
EPC Rating
Bacup
69.3
Littleborough
70.2
Median Income
Bacup
£30,420
Littleborough
£29,536
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Littleborough commands an average of £229,602, 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 Littleborough it is a flat at £167,617.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 31% pricier in Littleborough (£175,168 vs £120,647).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bacup prices grew faster — 57% vs 51%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBacup has a crime rate of 64.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 64% lower than Littleborough at 105.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bacup is violent-crime, while in Littleborough 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 Littleborough, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 83.3% in Bacup. There are 6 schools in Bacup and 4 in Littleborough.
Bacup School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 6 schools (6 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Littleborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (4 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bacup | Littleborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 4 |
| Primary | 6 | 4 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 311.4 Mbps in Littleborough and 230.0 Mbps in Bacup. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.2% of premises in Bacup and 93.4% in Littleborough. Gigabit availability stands at 23.4% in Bacup and 49.9% in Littleborough.
Littleborough is the faster of the two by 35% on average download speed (311 vs 230 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Littleborough leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.2 (C), while Bacup averages 69.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,398 in Bacup and £1,236 in Littleborough. 59.9% of homes in Bacup have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.2% in Littleborough.
Littleborough has more energy-efficient housing — 63.2% reach band C or above, vs 59.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,420 in Bacup and £29,535.5 in Littleborough. The median age is 43.3 in Bacup and 41.8 in Littleborough. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Bacup versus 62.4% in Littleborough. Employment rates stand at 57.8% in Bacup and 55% in Littleborough.
| Indicator | Bacup | Littleborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,194 | 12,164 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 41.8 |
| Median Household Income | £30,420 | £29,535.5 |
| Employment Rate | 57.8% | 55% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 62.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.7% | 28.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bacup and Littleborough?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bacup or Littleborough?
Is Bacup or Littleborough safer?
Which has better schools, Bacup or Littleborough?
Which has faster broadband, Bacup or Littleborough?
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