Barnsley vs Doncaster
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Barnsley wins on house prices with a 11% gap. Barnsley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Doncaster
£223,181
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Doncaster
116.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Doncaster
95.2%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Doncaster
489.8
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Doncaster
70.9
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Doncaster
£30,186
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Doncaster commands an average of £223,181, compared with £199,362 in Barnsley – a difference of 11%. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Doncaster it is a flat at £114,266.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 13% pricier in Doncaster (£114,266 vs £99,003).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnsley prices grew faster — 46% vs 28%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Barnsley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 94.8 per 1,000 versus 116.5 per 1,000 in Doncaster. The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Doncaster 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 95.2% in Doncaster. There are 21 schools in Barnsley and 28 in Doncaster.
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Doncaster School Inspection Breakdown
95.2% of 28 schools (21 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Doncaster |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 28 |
| Primary | 18 | 21 |
| Secondary | 3 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 95.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 489.8 Mbps in Doncaster and 421.9 Mbps in Barnsley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 99% in Doncaster. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 97.7% in Doncaster.
Doncaster is the faster of the two by 16% on average download speed (490 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Doncaster, scoring 70.9 on average (band C) compared to 70.2 (band C) in Barnsley. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,093 in Doncaster. 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.2% in Doncaster.
Doncaster has more energy-efficient housing — 61.2% reach band C or above, vs 58.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,472 in Barnsley and £30,186 in Doncaster. The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 43.4 in Doncaster. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 54.9% in Doncaster. Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 62.8% in Doncaster. Barnsley has a population of 71,394 and Doncaster has 87,094.
| Indicator | Barnsley | Doncaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 87,094 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £30,472 | £30,186 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 54.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.3% | 62.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.4% | 22.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnsley and Doncaster?
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