Barlby vs Boston Spa
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Barlby is about 49% cheaper on average. Barlby has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Boston Spa edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barlby
£241,544
Boston Spa
£472,529
Crime Rate
Barlby
47.2
Boston Spa
116.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barlby
50.0%
Boston Spa
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barlby
435
Boston Spa
410.7
EPC Rating
Barlby
70.4
Boston Spa
71.4
Median Income
Barlby
£30,117
Boston Spa
£31,465
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberThe average house price in Barlby is £241,544, which is 49% less than Boston Spa at £472,529. The most affordable entry point in Barlby is a flat at £136,500, while in Boston Spa it is a flat at £189,793.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 54% pricier in Boston Spa (£634,972 vs £294,089).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barlby prices grew faster — 30% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberCrime is lower in Barlby (47.2 per 1,000) compared to Boston Spa (116.2 per 1,000), a 146% difference. The most common crime category in Barlby is violent-crime, while in Boston Spa 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 Yorkshire and the HumberBoston Spa has 75% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 50% in Barlby. Barlby has 2 schools in total, while Boston Spa has 5.
Barlby School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Boston Spa School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barlby | Boston Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 5 |
| Primary | 1 | 4 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Barlby offers faster average downloads at 435.0 Mbps, compared to 410.7 Mbps in Boston Spa. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Barlby and 89.5% in Boston Spa. Gigabit availability stands at 85.1% in Barlby and 80.5% in Boston Spa.
Barlby is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (435 vs 411 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Boston Spa are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 71.4 (band C) versus 70.4 (band C) in Barlby. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,412 in Barlby and £1,138 in Boston Spa. 59.8% of homes in Barlby have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.3% in Boston Spa.
Boston Spa has more energy-efficient housing — 65.3% reach band C or above, vs 59.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,465 in Boston Spa and £30,117.4 in Barlby. The median age is 48.2 in Barlby and 40.1 in Boston Spa. Employment rates stand at 56.6% in Barlby and 56.8% in Boston Spa. Owner-occupancy is 69% in Barlby versus 57% in Boston Spa.
| Indicator | Barlby | Boston Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,499 | 6,358 |
| Median Age | 48.2 | 40.1 |
| Median Household Income | £30,117.4 | £31,465 |
| Employment Rate | 56.6% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 69% | 57% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.8% | 34.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barlby and Boston Spa?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barlby or Boston Spa?
Is Barlby or Boston Spa safer?
Which has better schools, Barlby or Boston Spa?
Which has faster broadband, Barlby or Boston Spa?
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