Billinge vs Runcorn
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Runcorn is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 33% lower. Runcorn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Runcorn edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Billinge
£261,331
Runcorn
£197,055
Crime Rate
Billinge
86.8
Runcorn
85.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Billinge
66.7%
Runcorn
72.7%
Avg Download Speed
Billinge
460.4
Runcorn
425
EPC Rating
Billinge
71.4
Runcorn
72.2
Median Income
Billinge
£30,580
Runcorn
£30,744
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Billinge commands an average of £261,331, compared with £197,055 in Runcorn – a difference of 33%. The most affordable entry point in Billinge is a flat at £88,000, while in Runcorn it is a flat at £90,242.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 71% pricier in Billinge (£219,616 vs £128,701).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Billinge prices grew faster — 40% vs 13%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestRuncorn has a crime rate of 85.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 1% lower than Billinge at 86.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Billinge is violent-crime, while in Runcorn 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 North WestFamilies may prefer Runcorn, where 72.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Billinge. There are 3 schools in Billinge and 33 in Runcorn.
Billinge School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Runcorn School Inspection Breakdown
72.7% of 33 schools (28 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Billinge | Runcorn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 33 |
| Primary | 3 | 28 |
| Secondary | 0 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 72.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 460.4 Mbps in Billinge and 425.0 Mbps in Runcorn. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.9% of premises in Billinge and 98.3% in Runcorn. Gigabit availability stands at 90.5% in Billinge and 81.7% in Runcorn.
Billinge is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (460 vs 425 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Runcorn leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Billinge averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,109 in Billinge and £1,041 in Runcorn. 67.4% of homes in Billinge have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 73.3% in Runcorn.
Runcorn has more energy-efficient housing — 73.3% reach band C or above, vs 67.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,743.5 in Runcorn and £30,579.7 in Billinge. The median age is 44.1 in Billinge and 43.8 in Runcorn. Owner-occupancy is 67.1% in Billinge versus 64.4% in Runcorn. Employment rates stand at 55.6% in Billinge and 56.9% in Runcorn.
| Indicator | Billinge | Runcorn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,963 | 61,641 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £30,579.7 | £30,743.5 |
| Employment Rate | 55.6% | 56.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.1% | 64.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.7% | 29.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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