Town comparison
Barnoldswick vs Oswaldtwistle
Which is better to live in? 14.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Oswaldtwistle wins on house prices with a 24% gap. Barnoldswick has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Oswaldtwistle edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnoldswick
£185,134
Oswaldtwistle
£149,624
Crime Rate
Barnoldswick
27.9
Oswaldtwistle
156.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnoldswick
80.0%
Oswaldtwistle
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnoldswick
447.3
Oswaldtwistle
442.6
EPC Rating
Barnoldswick
70
Oswaldtwistle
69.1
Median Income
Barnoldswick
£29,567
Oswaldtwistle
£29,973
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Barnoldswick commands an average of £185,134, compared with £149,624 in Oswaldtwistle – a difference of 24%. The most affordable entry point in Barnoldswick is a flat at £116,000, while in Oswaldtwistle it is a flat at £85,167.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 38% pricier in Barnoldswick (£353,559 vs £255,471).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Oswaldtwistle prices grew faster — 32% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Barnoldswick experience less crime overall, with a rate of 27.9 per 1,000 versus 156.1 per 1,000 in Oswaldtwistle. The most common crime category in Barnoldswick is violent-crime, while in Oswaldtwistle 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 Oswaldtwistle, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 80% in Barnoldswick. There are 5 schools in Barnoldswick and 7 in Oswaldtwistle.
Barnoldswick School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Oswaldtwistle School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnoldswick | Oswaldtwistle |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 7 |
| Primary | 4 | 6 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 447.3 Mbps in Barnoldswick and 442.6 Mbps in Oswaldtwistle. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Barnoldswick and 96.7% in Oswaldtwistle. Gigabit availability stands at 87.8% in Barnoldswick and 85.4% in Oswaldtwistle.
Barnoldswick is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (447 vs 443 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnoldswick leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while Oswaldtwistle averages 69.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,427 in Barnoldswick and £1,326 in Oswaldtwistle. 58.8% of homes in Barnoldswick have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58% in Oswaldtwistle.
Barnoldswick has more energy-efficient housing — 58.8% reach band C or above, vs 58% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,972.5 in Oswaldtwistle and £29,566.6 in Barnoldswick. The median age is 47.3 in Barnoldswick and 42.5 in Oswaldtwistle. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Barnoldswick versus 65.5% in Oswaldtwistle. Employment rates stand at 56.4% in Barnoldswick and 56% in Oswaldtwistle.
| Indicator | Barnoldswick | Oswaldtwistle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,591 | 10,810 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £29,566.6 | £29,972.5 |
| Employment Rate | 56.4% | 56% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 65.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 27.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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