Barwell vs Desford
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Barwell is about 25% cheaper on average. Desford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barwell
£248,290
Desford
£330,177
Crime Rate
Barwell
97.2
Desford
53.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barwell
100.0%
Desford
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barwell
292.2
Desford
292.2
EPC Rating
Barwell
71
Desford
71
Median Income
Barwell
£31,173
Desford
£31,173
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsThe average house price in Barwell is £248,290, which is 25% less than Desford at £330,177. The most affordable entry point in Barwell is a flat at £99,385, while in Desford it is a flat at £109,125.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 31% pricier in Desford (£427,375 vs £294,614).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barwell prices grew faster — 69% vs 21%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsCrime is lower in Desford (53.2 per 1,000) compared to Barwell (97.2 per 1,000), a 83% difference. The most common crime category in Barwell is violent-crime, while in Desford 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 East MidlandsBarwell has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Desford. Barwell has 2 schools in total, while Desford has 2.
Barwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Desford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barwell | Desford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 2 |
| Primary | 2 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Barwell offers faster average downloads at 292.2 Mbps, compared to 292.2 Mbps in Desford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.6% of premises in Barwell and 95.6% in Desford. Gigabit availability stands at 48.5% in Barwell and 48.5% in Desford.
Barwell is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (292 vs 292 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Barwell are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 71 (band C) versus 71 (band C) in Desford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,245 in Barwell and £1,245 in Desford. 61.5% of homes in Barwell have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.5% in Desford.
Barwell has more energy-efficient housing — 61.5% reach band C or above, vs 61.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,172.7 in Barwell and £31,172.7 in Desford. The median age is 45.2 in Barwell and 45.2 in Desford. Employment rates stand at 60.5% in Barwell and 60.5% in Desford. Owner-occupancy is 76% in Barwell versus 76% in Desford.
| Indicator | Barwell | Desford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,149 | 3,817 |
| Median Age | 45.2 | 45.2 |
| Median Household Income | £31,172.7 | £31,172.7 |
| Employment Rate | 60.5% | 60.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 76% | 76% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.6% | 32.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barwell and Desford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barwell or Desford?
Is Barwell or Desford safer?
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