Barnsley vs Waverley and Catcliffe
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Barnsley is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 28% lower. Waverley And Catcliffe has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnsley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnsley
£199,362
Waverley and Catcliffe
£278,628
Crime Rate
Barnsley
94.8
Waverley and Catcliffe
91.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnsley
100.0%
Waverley and Catcliffe
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnsley
421.9
Waverley and Catcliffe
459.6
EPC Rating
Barnsley
70.2
Waverley and Catcliffe
70
Median Income
Barnsley
£30,472
Waverley and Catcliffe
£29,076
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberAt £199,362, Barnsley undercuts Waverley And Catcliffe (£278,628) by around 28% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Barnsley is a flat at £99,003, while in Waverley And Catcliffe it is a flat at £125,553.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 38% pricier in Waverley And Catcliffe (£212,012 vs £132,170).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnsley prices grew faster — 46% vs -6%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberWaverley And Catcliffe has a crime rate of 91 per 1,000 residents, which is 4% lower than Barnsley at 94.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Barnsley is violent-crime, while in Waverley And Catcliffe 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 Waverley And Catcliffe, which has 2 schools, the figure is 100%.
Barnsley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Waverley and Catcliffe School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnsley | Waverley and Catcliffe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 21 | 2 |
| Primary | 18 | 2 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Waverley And Catcliffe averages 459.6 Mbps – ahead of Barnsley's 421.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.2% of premises in Barnsley and 96.4% in Waverley And Catcliffe. Gigabit availability stands at 80.2% in Barnsley and 90.6% in Waverley And Catcliffe.
Waverley And Catcliffe is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (460 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Barnsley, scoring 70.2 on average (band C) compared to 70 (band C) in Waverley And Catcliffe. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,134 in Barnsley and £1,063 in Waverley And Catcliffe. 58.9% of homes in Barnsley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62% in Waverley And Catcliffe.
Waverley And Catcliffe has more energy-efficient housing — 62% reach band C or above, vs 58.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,472 in Barnsley and £29,075.5 in Waverley And Catcliffe. The median age is 43.5 in Barnsley and 42.2 in Waverley And Catcliffe. Employment rates stand at 55.9% in Barnsley and 53.8% in Waverley And Catcliffe. Owner-occupancy is 62.3% in Barnsley versus 61% in Waverley And Catcliffe. Barnsley has a population of 71,394 and Waverley And Catcliffe has 4,229.
| Indicator | Barnsley | Waverley and Catcliffe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,394 | 4,229 |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 42.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,472 | £29,075.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55.9% | 53.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.3% | 61% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.4% | 28.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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