Barnoldswick vs Brierfield
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Brierfield is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 13% lower. Barnoldswick has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brierfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnoldswick
£185,134
Brierfield
£163,344
Crime Rate
Barnoldswick
27.9
Brierfield
82.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnoldswick
80.0%
Brierfield
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnoldswick
447.3
Brierfield
445.5
EPC Rating
Barnoldswick
70
Brierfield
69.2
Median Income
Barnoldswick
£29,567
Brierfield
£29,992
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Barnoldswick commands an average of £185,134, compared with £163,344 in Brierfield – a difference of 13%. The most affordable entry point in Barnoldswick is a flat at £116,000, while in Brierfield it is a terraced at £104,078.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 43% pricier in Barnoldswick (£148,535 vs £104,078).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Brierfield prices grew faster — 77% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBarnoldswick has a crime rate of 27.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 195% lower than Brierfield at 82.3 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Barnoldswick is violent-crime, while in Brierfield 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 Brierfield, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 80% in Barnoldswick. There are 5 schools in Barnoldswick and 4 in Brierfield.
Barnoldswick School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Brierfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnoldswick | Brierfield |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 4 |
| Primary | 4 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 447.3 Mbps in Barnoldswick and 445.5 Mbps in Brierfield. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Barnoldswick and 96.4% in Brierfield. Gigabit availability stands at 87.8% in Barnoldswick and 87.4% in Brierfield.
Barnoldswick is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (447 vs 446 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnoldswick leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while Brierfield averages 69.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,427 in Barnoldswick and £1,386 in Brierfield. 58.8% of homes in Barnoldswick have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.6% in Brierfield.
Barnoldswick has more energy-efficient housing — 58.8% reach band C or above, vs 55.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,992 in Brierfield and £29,566.6 in Barnoldswick. The median age is 47.3 in Barnoldswick and 44.5 in Brierfield. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Barnoldswick versus 70.2% in Brierfield. Employment rates stand at 56.4% in Barnoldswick and 55.9% in Brierfield.
| Indicator | Barnoldswick | Brierfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,591 | 10,723 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 44.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,566.6 | £29,992 |
| Employment Rate | 56.4% | 55.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 70.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 32.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnoldswick and Brierfield?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barnoldswick or Brierfield?
Is Barnoldswick or Brierfield safer?
Which has better schools, Barnoldswick or Brierfield?
Which has faster broadband, Barnoldswick or Brierfield?
Keep exploring