Barnsley vs Normanton (Wakefield)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Barnsley wins on house prices with a 14% gap. Barnsley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Normanton (Wakefield)
£231,123
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Normanton (Wakefield)
108.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Normanton (Wakefield)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Normanton (Wakefield)
450.3
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Normanton (Wakefield)
70.4
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Normanton (Wakefield)
£29,087
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Normanton (wakefield) commands an average of £231,123, compared with £199,362 in Barnsley – a difference of 14%. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Normanton (wakefield) it is a flat at £87,227.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 17% pricier in Normanton (wakefield) (£222,014 vs £184,640).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnsley prices grew faster — 46% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Barnsley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 94.8 per 1,000 versus 108.4 per 1,000 in Normanton (wakefield). The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Normanton (wakefield) 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 Normanton (wakefield). There are 21 schools in Barnsley and 9 in Normanton (wakefield).
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Normanton (Wakefield) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (8 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Normanton (Wakefield) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 9 |
| Primary | 18 | 8 |
| Secondary | 3 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 450.3 Mbps in Normanton (wakefield) and 421.9 Mbps in Barnsley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 94.8% in Normanton (wakefield). Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 88.9% in Normanton (wakefield).
Normanton (wakefield) is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (450 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Normanton (wakefield) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.4 (C), while Barnsley averages 70.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,126 in Normanton (wakefield). 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.8% in Normanton (wakefield).
Normanton (wakefield) 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 Normanton (wakefield). The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 42.9 in Normanton (wakefield). Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 62.6% in Normanton (wakefield). Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 57.3% in Normanton (wakefield).
| Indicator | Barnsley | Normanton (Wakefield) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 21,976 |
| 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
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Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barnsley or Normanton (wakefield)?
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