Town comparison
Banks vs Kirkby
Which is better to live in? 13.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Kirkby is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 33% lower. Banks has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Banks edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Banks
£272,518
Kirkby
£204,463
Crime Rate
Banks
48.0
Kirkby
81.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Banks
100.0%
Kirkby
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Banks
239.5
Kirkby
424
EPC Rating
Banks
70.8
Kirkby
71.8
Median Income
Banks
£29,254
Kirkby
£31,017
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Banks commands an average of £272,518, compared with £204,463 in Kirkby – a difference of 33%. The most affordable entry point in Banks is a flat at £112,125, while in Kirkby it is a flat at £79,493.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 48% pricier in Banks (£380,454 vs £256,796).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Kirkby prices grew faster — 68% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBanks has a crime rate of 48 per 1,000 residents, which is 70% lower than Kirkby at 81.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Banks is violent-crime, while in Kirkby 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 Banks, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 81.8% in Kirkby. There are 2 schools in Banks and 15 in Kirkby.
Banks School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkby School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 15 schools (13 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Banks | Kirkby |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 15 |
| Primary | 2 | 13 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 424.0 Mbps in Kirkby and 239.5 Mbps in Banks. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Banks and 96.8% in Kirkby. Gigabit availability stands at 23.2% in Banks and 82.1% in Kirkby.
Kirkby is the faster of the two by 77% on average download speed (424 vs 240 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Kirkby leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Banks averages 70.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,204 in Banks and £1,128 in Kirkby. 65.6% of homes in Banks have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.6% in Kirkby.
Kirkby has more energy-efficient housing — 69.6% reach band C or above, vs 65.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,017 in Kirkby and £29,254 in Banks. The median age is 46 in Banks and 43.4 in Kirkby. Owner-occupancy is 68.7% in Banks versus 65.1% in Kirkby. Employment rates stand at 54% in Banks and 55.2% in Kirkby.
| Indicator | Banks | Kirkby |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,439 | 45,559 |
| Median Age | 46 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £29,254 | £31,017 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 55.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.7% | 65.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 26.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Banks and Kirkby?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Banks or Kirkby?
Is Banks or Kirkby safer?
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