Town comparison
Barnoldswick vs Todmorden
Which is better to live in? 14.5 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 21% gap. Barnoldswick has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Todmorden edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnoldswick
£185,134
Todmorden
£232,885
Crime Rate
Barnoldswick
27.9
Todmorden
106.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnoldswick
80.0%
Todmorden
87.5%
Avg Download Speed
Barnoldswick
447.3
Todmorden
84.9
EPC Rating
Barnoldswick
70
Todmorden
70.3
Median Income
Barnoldswick
£29,567
Todmorden
£29,604
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Todmorden commands an average of £232,885, compared with £185,134 in Barnoldswick – a difference of 21%. The most affordable entry point in Barnoldswick is a flat at £116,000, while in Todmorden it is a terraced at £167,307.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 43% pricier in Todmorden (£202,758 vs £116,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Todmorden prices grew faster — 38% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Barnoldswick experience less crime overall, with a rate of 27.9 per 1,000 versus 106.5 per 1,000 in Todmorden. The most common crime category in Barnoldswick is violent-crime, while in Todmorden 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 Todmorden, where 87.5% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 80% in Barnoldswick. There are 5 schools in Barnoldswick and 8 in Todmorden.
Barnoldswick School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Todmorden School Inspection Breakdown
87.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnoldswick | Todmorden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 8 |
| Primary | 4 | 7 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 87.5% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 447.3 Mbps in Barnoldswick and 84.9 Mbps in Todmorden. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Barnoldswick and 87.8% in Todmorden. Gigabit availability stands at 87.8% in Barnoldswick and 3.1% in Todmorden.
Barnoldswick is the faster of the two by 427% on average download speed (447 vs 85 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Todmorden, scoring 70.3 on average (band C) compared to 70 (band C) in Barnoldswick. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,427 in Barnoldswick and £1,198 in Todmorden. 58.8% of homes in Barnoldswick have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63.5% in Todmorden.
Todmorden has more energy-efficient housing — 63.5% reach band C or above, vs 58.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,603.7 in Todmorden and £29,566.6 in Barnoldswick. The median age is 47.3 in Barnoldswick and 41.7 in Todmorden. Employment rates stand at 56.4% in Barnoldswick and 54.4% in Todmorden. Owner-occupancy is 67.9% in Barnoldswick versus 61.6% in Todmorden. Barnoldswick has a population of 10,591 and Todmorden has 12,971.
| Indicator | Barnoldswick | Todmorden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,591 | 12,971 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 41.7 |
| Median Household Income | £29,566.6 | £29,603.7 |
| Employment Rate | 56.4% | 54.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 61.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 27.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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