Belper vs Ripley (Amber Valley)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Belper wins on house prices with a 1% gap. Belper has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ripley (amber Valley) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Belper
£290,909
Ripley (Amber Valley)
£293,055
Crime Rate
Belper
66.4
Ripley (Amber Valley)
66.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Belper
75.0%
Ripley (Amber Valley)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Belper
339.1
Ripley (Amber Valley)
433.7
EPC Rating
Belper
67.8
Ripley (Amber Valley)
69.6
Median Income
Belper
£30,608
Ripley (Amber Valley)
£30,462
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £290,909, Belper undercuts Ripley (amber Valley) (£293,055) by around 1% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Belper is a flat at £135,318, while in Ripley (amber Valley) it is a flat at £154,625.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 13% pricier in Belper (£201,773 vs £179,003).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Belper prices grew faster — 48% vs 36%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsResidents of Belper experience less crime overall, with a rate of 66.4 per 1,000 versus 66.4 per 1,000 in Ripley (amber Valley). The most common crime category in Belper is violent-crime, while in Ripley (amber Valley) 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 Ripley (amber Valley), which has 7 schools, the figure is 100%.
Belper School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ripley (Amber Valley) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Belper | Ripley (Amber Valley) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 7 |
| Primary | 5 | 6 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 75% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ripley (amber Valley) averages 433.7 Mbps – ahead of Belper's 339.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.3% of premises in Belper and 94.8% in Ripley (amber Valley). Gigabit availability stands at 60.7% in Belper and 84.8% in Ripley (amber Valley).
Ripley (amber Valley) is the faster of the two by 28% on average download speed (434 vs 339 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Ripley (amber Valley) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.6 (C), while Belper averages 67.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,332 in Belper and £1,194 in Ripley (amber Valley). 50.8% of homes in Belper have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.4% in Ripley (amber Valley).
Ripley (amber Valley) has more energy-efficient housing — 54.4% reach band C or above, vs 50.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,607.7 in Belper and £30,462 in Ripley (amber Valley). The median age is 47.1 in Belper and 46 in Ripley (amber Valley). Owner-occupancy is 71.3% in Belper versus 72% in Ripley (amber Valley). Employment rates stand at 56.8% in Belper and 57.3% in Ripley (amber Valley).
| Indicator | Belper | Ripley (Amber Valley) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,076 | 20,191 |
| Median Age | 47.1 | 46 |
| Median Household Income | £30,607.7 | £30,462 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% | 57.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.3% | 72% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.3% | 28.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Belper or Ripley (amber Valley)?
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