Bacup vs Walkden
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bacup wins on house prices with a 43% gap. Bacup has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Walkden edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bacup
£190,117
Walkden
£336,051
Crime Rate
Bacup
64.2
Walkden
105.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bacup
83.3%
Walkden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bacup
230
Walkden
479.7
EPC Rating
Bacup
69.3
Walkden
73.2
Median Income
Bacup
£30,420
Walkden
£30,499
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Walkden commands an average of £336,051, compared with £190,117 in Bacup – a difference of 43%. The most affordable entry point in Bacup is a terraced at £120,647, while in Walkden it is a flat at £154,356.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 46% pricier in Walkden (£222,856 vs £120,647).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bacup prices grew faster — 57% vs 54%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Bacup experience less crime overall, with a rate of 64.2 per 1,000 versus 105.8 per 1,000 in Walkden. The most common crime category in Bacup is violent-crime, while in Walkden 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 Walkden, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 83.3% in Bacup. There are 6 schools in Bacup and 9 in Walkden.
Bacup School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 6 schools (6 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Walkden School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (8 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bacup | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 9 |
| Primary | 6 | 8 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 83.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 479.7 Mbps in Walkden and 230.0 Mbps in Bacup. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.2% of premises in Bacup and 98.7% in Walkden. Gigabit availability stands at 23.4% in Bacup and 95.3% in Walkden.
Walkden is the faster of the two by 109% on average download speed (480 vs 230 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Walkden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.2 (C), while Bacup averages 69.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,398 in Bacup and £983 in Walkden. 59.9% of homes in Bacup have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 74.8% in Walkden.
Walkden has more energy-efficient housing — 74.8% reach band C or above, vs 59.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,499 in Walkden and £30,420 in Bacup. The median age is 43.3 in Bacup and 40.5 in Walkden. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Bacup versus 56.7% in Walkden. Employment rates stand at 57.8% in Bacup and 58.1% in Walkden.
| Indicator | Bacup | Walkden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,194 | 18,684 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 40.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,420 | £30,499 |
| Employment Rate | 57.8% | 58.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 56.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.7% | 29.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bacup and Walkden?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bacup or Walkden?
Is Bacup or Walkden safer?
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