Bideford vs Northam
Which is better to live in? Distance: 1.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Bideford offers lower property prices by roughly 26%. For families, Bideford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bideford
£301,119
Northam
£408,027
Crime Rate
Bideford
N/A
Northam
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bideford
100.0%
Northam
0.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bideford
416.3
Northam
416.3
EPC Rating
Bideford
68.4
Northam
68.4
Median Income
Bideford
£27,547
Northam
£27,547
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Bideford more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £301,119 versus £408,027 in Northam. The most affordable entry point in Bideford is a flat at £171,409, while in Northam it is a flat at £131,875.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 30% pricier in Bideford (£171,409 vs £131,875).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Northam prices grew faster — 61% vs 37%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Bideford and Northam at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestSchool quality favours Bideford: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 0% in Northam.
Bideford School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Northam School Inspection Breakdown
0% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bideford | Northam |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 0% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bideford enjoy 416.3 Mbps on average, while Northam lags behind at 416.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.4% of premises in Bideford and 88.4% in Northam. Gigabit availability stands at 81.6% in Bideford and 81.6% in Northam.
Bideford is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (416 vs 416 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bideford is band C (score 68.4), ahead of Northam's band C (score 68.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,382 in Bideford and £1,382 in Northam. 55.6% of homes in Bideford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.6% in Northam.
Bideford has more energy-efficient housing — 55.6% reach band C or above, vs 55.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bideford has a population of 19,493 while Northam has 5,191. Median household income is £27,546.5 in Bideford and £27,546.5 in Northam. The median age is 49.1 in Bideford and 49.1 in Northam. Employment rates stand at 53.6% in Bideford and 53.6% in Northam.
| Indicator | Bideford | Northam |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,493 | 5,191 |
| Median Age | 49.1 | 49.1 |
| Median Household Income | £27,546.5 | £27,546.5 |
| Employment Rate | 53.6% | 53.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 68.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bideford and Northam?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bideford or Northam?
Is Bideford or Northam safer?
Which has better schools, Bideford or Northam?
Which has faster broadband, Bideford or Northam?
Keep exploring