Barnsley vs Mirfield
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Barnsley is about 26% cheaper on average. Mirfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Mirfield
£268,461
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Mirfield
89.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Mirfield
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Mirfield
417.2
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Mirfield
68.5
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Mirfield
£29,592
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberThe average house price in Barnsley is £199,362, which is 26% less than Mirfield at £268,461. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Mirfield it is a flat at £125,146.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 28% pricier in Mirfield (£183,257 vs £132,170).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnsley prices grew faster — 46% vs 43%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberCrime is lower in Mirfield (89.2 per 1,000) compared to Barnsley (94.8 per 1,000), a 6% difference. The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Mirfield 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 HumberBarnsley has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Mirfield. Barnsley has 21 schools in total, while Mirfield has 7.
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Mirfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (5 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Mirfield |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 7 |
| Primary | 18 | 5 |
| Secondary | 3 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Barnsley offers faster average downloads at 421.9 Mbps, compared to 417.2 Mbps in Mirfield. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 94% in Mirfield. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 81.1% in Mirfield.
Barnsley is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (422 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Barnsley are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 70.2 (band C) versus 68.5 (band C) in Mirfield. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,279 in Mirfield. 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.2% in Mirfield.
Barnsley has more energy-efficient housing — 58.9% reach band C or above, vs 54.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,472 in Barnsley and £29,591.5 in Mirfield. The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 42.5 in Mirfield. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 55.5% in Mirfield. Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 65% in Mirfield.
| Indicator | Barnsley | Mirfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 19,614 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,472 | £29,591.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 55.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.3% | 65% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.4% | 30.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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