Bamber Bridge vs Cottam (Preston)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bamber Bridge wins on house prices with a 16% gap. Bamber Bridge has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cottam (preston) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bamber Bridge
£240,197
Cottam (Preston)
£285,843
Crime Rate
Bamber Bridge
55.7
Cottam (Preston)
96.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bamber Bridge
90.0%
Cottam (Preston)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bamber Bridge
412.3
Cottam (Preston)
326
EPC Rating
Bamber Bridge
72.5
Cottam (Preston)
71.8
Median Income
Bamber Bridge
£31,149
Cottam (Preston)
£31,406
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Cottam (preston) commands an average of £285,843, compared with £240,197 in Bamber Bridge – a difference of 16%. The most affordable entry point in Bamber Bridge is a flat at £109,264, while in Cottam (preston) it is a flat at £99,130.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 14% pricier in Cottam (preston) (£349,140 vs £298,850).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cottam (preston) prices grew faster — 11% vs 10%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Bamber Bridge experience less crime overall, with a rate of 55.7 per 1,000 versus 96.8 per 1,000 in Cottam (preston). The most common crime category in Bamber Bridge is violent-crime, while in Cottam (preston) 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 Cottam (preston), where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90% in Bamber Bridge. There are 16 schools in Bamber Bridge and 2 in Cottam (preston).
Bamber Bridge School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 16 schools (13 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cottam (Preston) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bamber Bridge | Cottam (Preston) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 16 | 2 |
| Primary | 13 | 2 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 90% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 412.3 Mbps in Bamber Bridge and 326.0 Mbps in Cottam (preston). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.5% of premises in Bamber Bridge and 91.4% in Cottam (preston). Gigabit availability stands at 79.4% in Bamber Bridge and 58.7% in Cottam (preston).
Bamber Bridge is the faster of the two by 26% on average download speed (412 vs 326 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Bamber Bridge, scoring 72.5 on average (band C) compared to 71.8 (band C) in Cottam (preston). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,089 in Bamber Bridge and £1,166 in Cottam (preston). 69.5% of homes in Bamber Bridge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.9% in Cottam (preston).
Bamber Bridge has more energy-efficient housing — 69.5% reach band C or above, vs 65.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,406.2 in Cottam (preston) and £31,149 in Bamber Bridge. The median age is 43 in Bamber Bridge and 45.6 in Cottam (preston). Employment rates stand at 58.5% in Bamber Bridge and 55.4% in Cottam (preston). Owner-occupancy is 68.8% in Bamber Bridge versus 70.3% in Cottam (preston). Bamber Bridge has a population of 40,045 and Cottam (preston) has 5,507.
| Indicator | Bamber Bridge | Cottam (Preston) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,045 | 5,507 |
| Median Age | 43 | 45.6 |
| Median Household Income | £31,149 | £31,406.2 |
| Employment Rate | 58.5% | 55.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.8% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.5% | 31.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bamber Bridge and Cottam (preston)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bamber Bridge or Cottam (preston)?
Is Bamber Bridge or Cottam (preston) safer?
Which has better schools, Bamber Bridge or Cottam (preston)?
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