Banks vs Penwortham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Penwortham is about 13% cheaper on average. Banks has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Banks edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Banks
£272,518
Penwortham
£242,086
Crime Rate
Banks
48.0
Penwortham
55.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Banks
100.0%
Penwortham
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Banks
239.5
Penwortham
385.2
EPC Rating
Banks
70.8
Penwortham
72.2
Median Income
Banks
£29,254
Penwortham
£30,301
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Penwortham more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £242,086 versus £272,518 in Banks. The most affordable entry point in Banks is a flat at £112,125, while in Penwortham it is a flat at £116,656.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 7% pricier in Penwortham (£167,291 vs £155,500).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Penwortham prices grew faster — 34% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Banks (48 per 1,000) compared to Penwortham (55.6 per 1,000), a 16% difference. The most common crime category in Banks is violent-crime, while in Penwortham 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 WestSchool quality favours Banks: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 90.9% in Penwortham.
Banks School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Penwortham School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 11 schools (8 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Banks | Penwortham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 11 |
| Primary | 2 | 8 |
| Secondary | 0 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Penwortham enjoy 385.2 Mbps on average, while Banks lags behind at 239.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Banks and 96.7% in Penwortham. Gigabit availability stands at 23.2% in Banks and 72.9% in Penwortham.
Penwortham is the faster of the two by 61% on average download speed (385 vs 240 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Penwortham is band C (score 72.2), ahead of Banks's band C (score 70.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,204 in Banks and £1,086 in Penwortham. 65.6% of homes in Banks have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.8% in Penwortham.
Penwortham has more energy-efficient housing — 67.8% reach band C or above, vs 65.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Banks has a population of 4,439 while Penwortham has 20,489. Median household income is £30,300.5 in Penwortham and £29,254 in Banks. The median age is 46 in Banks and 42.4 in Penwortham. Employment rates stand at 54% in Banks and 58% in Penwortham.
| Indicator | Banks | Penwortham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,439 | 20,489 |
| Median Age | 46 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £29,254 | £30,300.5 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 58% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.7% | 67.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 31.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Banks and Penwortham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Banks or Penwortham?
Is Banks or Penwortham safer?
Which has better schools, Banks or Penwortham?
Which has faster broadband, Banks or Penwortham?
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