Barnsley vs Hemsworth
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Hemsworth wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Barnsley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Hemsworth
£182,455
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Hemsworth
152.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Hemsworth
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Hemsworth
474.5
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Hemsworth
70.4
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Hemsworth
£29,087
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Barnsley commands an average of £199,362, compared with £182,455 in Hemsworth – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Hemsworth it is a flat at £92,917.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 20% pricier in Barnsley (£328,643 vs £274,052).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnsley prices grew faster — 46% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Barnsley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 94.8 per 1,000 versus 152.9 per 1,000 in Hemsworth. The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Hemsworth 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 Hemsworth. There are 21 schools in Barnsley and 5 in Hemsworth.
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hemsworth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Hemsworth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 5 |
| Primary | 18 | 4 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 474.5 Mbps in Hemsworth and 421.9 Mbps in Barnsley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 97.7% in Hemsworth. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 94.1% in Hemsworth.
Hemsworth is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (475 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Hemsworth, scoring 70.4 on average (band C) compared to 70.2 (band C) in Barnsley. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,126 in Hemsworth. 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.8% in Hemsworth.
Hemsworth has more energy-efficient housing — 62.8% reach band C or above, vs 58.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,472 in Barnsley and £29,087 in Hemsworth. The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 42.9 in Hemsworth. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 57.3% in Hemsworth. Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 62.6% in Hemsworth. Barnsley has a population of 71,394 and Hemsworth has 9,177.
| Indicator | Barnsley | Hemsworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 9,177 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 42.9 |
| Median Household Income | £30,472 | £29,087 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 57.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.3% | 62.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.4% | 24.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnsley and Hemsworth?
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