Belper vs Borrowash
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Borrowash is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 6% lower. Belper has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Borrowash edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Belper
£290,909
Borrowash
£273,570
Crime Rate
Belper
66.4
Borrowash
71.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Belper
75.0%
Borrowash
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Belper
339.1
Borrowash
410
EPC Rating
Belper
67.8
Borrowash
70.5
Median Income
Belper
£30,608
Borrowash
£31,856
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £273,570, Borrowash undercuts Belper (£290,909) by around 6% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Belper is a flat at £135,318, while in Borrowash it is a flat at £50,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 171% pricier in Belper (£135,318 vs £50,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Belper prices grew faster — 48% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsBelper has a crime rate of 66.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 8% lower than Borrowash at 71.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Belper is violent-crime, while in Borrowash 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 MidlandsOf the 6 schools in Belper, 75% are in the top two inspection bands. In Borrowash, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Belper School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Borrowash School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Belper | Borrowash |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 3 |
| Primary | 5 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 75% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Borrowash averages 410.0 Mbps – ahead of Belper's 339.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.3% of premises in Belper and 94.5% in Borrowash. Gigabit availability stands at 60.7% in Belper and 79.3% in Borrowash.
Borrowash is the faster of the two by 21% on average download speed (410 vs 339 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Borrowash leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.5 (C), while Belper averages 67.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,332 in Belper and £1,156 in Borrowash. 50.8% of homes in Belper have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.4% in Borrowash.
Borrowash has more energy-efficient housing — 60.4% reach band C or above, vs 50.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,856.2 in Borrowash and £30,607.7 in Belper. The median age is 47.1 in Belper and 43.1 in Borrowash. Owner-occupancy is 71.3% in Belper versus 68.8% in Borrowash. Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Belper and 59.2% in Borrowash.
| Indicator | Belper | Borrowash |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,076 | 7,171 |
| Median Age | 47.1 | 43.1 |
| Median Household Income | £30,607.7 | £31,856.2 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% | 59.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.3% | 68.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.3% | 29.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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