Bacup vs Rawtenstall
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bacup is about 23% 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
Rawtenstall
£246,862
Crime Rate
Bacup
64.2
Rawtenstall
64.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bacup
83.3%
Rawtenstall
70.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bacup
230
Rawtenstall
381.6
EPC Rating
Bacup
69.3
Rawtenstall
69.3
Median Income
Bacup
£30,420
Rawtenstall
£30,420
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Bacup is £190,117, which is 23% less than Rawtenstall at £246,862. The most affordable entry point in Bacup is a terraced at £120,647, while in Rawtenstall it is a flat at £149,086.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 30% pricier in Rawtenstall (£253,269 vs £176,447).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bacup prices grew faster — 57% vs 56%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 64.2 offences per 1,000 people, Bacup is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Rawtenstall's 64.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bacup is violent-crime, while in Rawtenstall 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 70% in Rawtenstall. Bacup has 6 schools in total, while Rawtenstall has 13.
Bacup School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 6 schools (6 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Rawtenstall School Inspection Breakdown
70% of 13 schools (9 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bacup | Rawtenstall |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 13 |
| Primary | 6 | 9 |
| Secondary | 0 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 70% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Rawtenstall offers faster average downloads at 381.6 Mbps, compared to 230.0 Mbps in Bacup. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.2% of premises in Bacup and 93.5% in Rawtenstall. Gigabit availability stands at 23.4% in Bacup and 71.1% in Rawtenstall.
Rawtenstall is the faster of the two by 66% on average download speed (382 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 69.3 (band C) in Rawtenstall. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,398 in Bacup and £1,398 in Rawtenstall. 59.9% of homes in Bacup have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.9% in Rawtenstall.
Bacup has more energy-efficient housing — 59.9% reach band C or above, vs 59.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,420 in Bacup and £30,420 in Rawtenstall. The median age is 43.3 in Bacup and 43.3 in Rawtenstall. Employment rates stand at 57.8% in Bacup and 57.8% in Rawtenstall. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Bacup versus 67.9% in Rawtenstall.
| Indicator | Bacup | Rawtenstall |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,194 | 23,381 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 43.3 |
| Median Household Income | £30,420 | £30,420 |
| Employment Rate | 57.8% | 57.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 67.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.7% | 30.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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