Barnsley vs Heckmondwike
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Heckmondwike wins on house prices with a 17% gap. Heckmondwike has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Heckmondwike
£170,032
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Heckmondwike
89.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Heckmondwike
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Heckmondwike
488.8
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Heckmondwike
68.5
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Heckmondwike
£29,058
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberAt £170,032, Heckmondwike undercuts Barnsley (£199,362) by around 17% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Heckmondwike it is a flat at £64,750.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 53% pricier in Barnsley (£99,003 vs £64,750).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnsley prices grew faster — 46% vs 33%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Heckmondwike experience less crime overall, with a rate of 89.2 per 1,000 versus 94.8 per 1,000 in Barnsley. The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Heckmondwike 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 HumberOf the 21 schools in Barnsley, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Heckmondwike, which has 3 schools, the figure is 66.7%.
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Heckmondwike School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Heckmondwike |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 3 |
| Primary | 18 | 2 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Heckmondwike averages 488.8 Mbps – ahead of Barnsley's 421.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 99.7% in Heckmondwike. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 97.3% in Heckmondwike.
Heckmondwike is the faster of the two by 16% on average download speed (489 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnsley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.2 (C), while Heckmondwike averages 68.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,223 in Heckmondwike. 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.4% in Heckmondwike.
Barnsley has more energy-efficient housing — 58.9% reach band C or above, vs 53.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,472 in Barnsley and £29,058 in Heckmondwike. The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 41.7 in Heckmondwike. Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 65.5% in Heckmondwike. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 54.9% in Heckmondwike.
| Indicator | Barnsley | Heckmondwike |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 13,368 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 41.7 |
| Median Household Income | £30,472 | £29,058 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 54.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.3% | 65.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.4% | 29.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnsley and Heckmondwike?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barnsley or Heckmondwike?
Is Barnsley or Heckmondwike safer?
Which has better schools, Barnsley or Heckmondwike?
Which has faster broadband, Barnsley or Heckmondwike?
Keep exploring