Barnsley vs Birdwell
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Barnsley is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 5% lower. Barnsley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Birdwell
£210,808
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Birdwell
94.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Birdwell
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Birdwell
421.9
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Birdwell
70.2
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Birdwell
£30,472
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Birdwell commands an average of £210,808, compared with £199,362 in Barnsley – a difference of 5%. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Birdwell it is a flat at £115,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 14% pricier in Birdwell (£214,885 vs £184,640).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Birdwell prices grew faster — 66% vs 46%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberBarnsley has a crime rate of 94.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Birdwell at 94.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Birdwell 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 HumberFamilies may prefer Barnsley, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Birdwell. There are 21 schools in Barnsley and 1 in Birdwell.
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Birdwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Birdwell |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 1 |
| Primary | 18 | 1 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 421.9 Mbps in Barnsley and 421.9 Mbps in Birdwell. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 97.2% in Birdwell. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 80.2% in Birdwell.
Barnsley is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (422 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnsley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.2 (C), while Birdwell averages 70.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,134 in Birdwell. 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.9% in Birdwell.
Barnsley has more energy-efficient housing — 58.9% reach band C or above, vs 58.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,472 in Barnsley and £30,472 in Birdwell. The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 43.5 in Birdwell. Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 62.3% in Birdwell. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 55.9% in Birdwell.
| Indicator | Barnsley | Birdwell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 3,363 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 43.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,472 | £30,472 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 55.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.3% | 62.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.4% | 23.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnsley and Birdwell?
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