Town comparison
Barnoldswick vs Hebden Bridge
Which is better to live in? 14.0 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Barnoldswick wins on house prices with a 38% gap. Barnoldswick has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hebden Bridge edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnoldswick
£185,134
Hebden Bridge
£299,498
Crime Rate
Barnoldswick
27.9
Hebden Bridge
106.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnoldswick
80.0%
Hebden Bridge
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnoldswick
447.3
Hebden Bridge
111.8
EPC Rating
Barnoldswick
70
Hebden Bridge
68.5
Median Income
Barnoldswick
£29,567
Hebden Bridge
£30,125
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £185,134, Barnoldswick undercuts Hebden Bridge (£299,498) by around 38% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Barnoldswick is a flat at £116,000, while in Hebden Bridge it is a terraced at £253,150.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 56% pricier in Hebden Bridge (£262,354 vs £116,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hebden Bridge prices grew faster — 53% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Barnoldswick experience less crime overall, with a rate of 27.9 per 1,000 versus 106.8 per 1,000 in Hebden Bridge. The most common crime category in Barnoldswick is violent-crime, while in Hebden Bridge 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 5 schools in Barnoldswick, 80% are in the top two inspection bands. In Hebden Bridge, which has 5 schools, the figure is 100%.
Barnoldswick School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hebden Bridge School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (5 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnoldswick | Hebden Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 5 |
| Primary | 4 | 5 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Barnoldswick averages 447.3 Mbps – ahead of Hebden Bridge's 111.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Barnoldswick and 86.8% in Hebden Bridge. Gigabit availability stands at 87.8% in Barnoldswick and 9.5% in Hebden Bridge.
Barnoldswick is the faster of the two by 300% on average download speed (447 vs 112 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnoldswick leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while Hebden Bridge averages 68.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,427 in Barnoldswick and £1,335 in Hebden Bridge. 58.8% of homes in Barnoldswick have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.1% in Hebden Bridge.
Barnoldswick has more energy-efficient housing — 58.8% reach band C or above, vs 55.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,125 in Hebden Bridge and £29,566.6 in Barnoldswick. The median age is 47.3 in Barnoldswick and 43.2 in Hebden Bridge. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Barnoldswick versus 64.6% in Hebden Bridge. Employment rates stand at 56.4% in Barnoldswick and 56% in Hebden Bridge.
| Indicator | Barnoldswick | Hebden Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,591 | 5,002 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 43.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,566.6 | £30,125 |
| Employment Rate | 56.4% | 56% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 64.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 30.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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