Bedale vs Sowerby
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Sowerby is about 11% cheaper on average. Sowerby has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Sowerby edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bedale
£340,837
Sowerby
£308,282
Crime Rate
Bedale
48.0
Sowerby
47.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bedale
50.0%
Sowerby
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bedale
269.8
Sowerby
256.9
EPC Rating
Bedale
70.3
Sowerby
70.3
Median Income
Bedale
£29,895
Sowerby
£29,895
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberBuyers will find Sowerby more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £308,282 versus £340,837 in Bedale. The most affordable entry point in Bedale is a flat at £146,291, while in Sowerby it is a flat at £144,625.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 11% pricier in Bedale (£241,754 vs £218,486).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sowerby prices grew faster — 56% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberCrime is lower in Sowerby (47.2 per 1,000) compared to Bedale (48 per 1,000), a 2% difference. The most common crime category in Bedale is violent-crime, while in Sowerby 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 HumberSchool quality favours Sowerby: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 50% in Bedale.
Bedale School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sowerby School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bedale | Sowerby |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 3 |
| Primary | 1 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 50% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bedale enjoy 269.8 Mbps on average, while Sowerby lags behind at 256.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 80.9% of premises in Bedale and 78% in Sowerby. Gigabit availability stands at 46.3% in Bedale and 45.5% in Sowerby.
Bedale is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (270 vs 257 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bedale is band C (score 70.3), ahead of Sowerby's band C (score 70.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,432 in Bedale and £1,432 in Sowerby. 59.5% of homes in Bedale have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.5% in Sowerby.
Bedale has more energy-efficient housing — 59.5% reach band C or above, vs 59.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bedale has a population of 3,289 while Sowerby has 4,727. Median household income is £29,895 in Bedale and £29,895 in Sowerby. The median age is 48.1 in Bedale and 48.1 in Sowerby. Employment rates stand at 56.9% in Bedale and 56.9% in Sowerby.
| Indicator | Bedale | Sowerby |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,289 | 4,727 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,895 | £29,895 |
| Employment Rate | 56.9% | 56.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 68.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.2% | 34.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bedale and Sowerby?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bedale or Sowerby?
Is Bedale or Sowerby safer?
Which has better schools, Bedale or Sowerby?
Which has faster broadband, Bedale or Sowerby?
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