Town comparison
Banks vs Southport
Which is better to live in? 4.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Southport is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 8% lower. Banks has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Banks edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Banks
£272,518
Southport
£252,668
Crime Rate
Banks
48.0
Southport
75.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Banks
100.0%
Southport
95.2%
Avg Download Speed
Banks
239.5
Southport
202.5
EPC Rating
Banks
70.8
Southport
70.8
Median Income
Banks
£29,254
Southport
£29,254
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £252,668, Southport undercuts Banks (£272,518) by around 8% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Banks is a flat at £112,125, while in Southport it is a flat at £149,944.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 25% pricier in Southport (£149,944 vs £112,125).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Banks prices grew faster — 26% vs 24%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBanks has a crime rate of 48 per 1,000 residents, which is 58% lower than Southport at 75.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Banks is violent-crime, while in Southport 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 WestOf the 2 schools in Banks, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Southport, which has 24 schools, the figure is 95.2%.
Banks School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Southport School Inspection Breakdown
95.2% of 24 schools (19 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Banks | Southport |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 24 |
| Primary | 2 | 19 |
| Secondary | 0 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 95.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Banks averages 239.5 Mbps – ahead of Southport's 202.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Banks and 95.9% in Southport. Gigabit availability stands at 23.2% in Banks and 18.6% in Southport.
Banks is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (240 vs 203 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Banks leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.8 (C), while Southport averages 70.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,204 in Banks and £1,204 in Southport. 65.6% of homes in Banks have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.6% in Southport.
Banks has more energy-efficient housing — 65.6% reach band C or above, vs 65.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,254 in Banks and £29,254 in Southport. The median age is 46 in Banks and 46 in Southport. Owner-occupancy is 68.7% in Banks versus 68.7% in Southport. Employment rates stand at 54% in Banks and 54% in Southport.
| Indicator | Banks | Southport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,439 | 94,438 |
| Median Age | 46 | 46 |
| Median Household Income | £29,254 | £29,254 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.7% | 68.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 29.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Banks and Southport?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Banks or Southport?
Is Banks or Southport safer?
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