Billingham vs Chilton (County Durham)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Billingham is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 7% lower. Chilton (county Durham) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chilton (county Durham) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Billingham
£155,837
Chilton (County Durham)
£166,696
Crime Rate
Billingham
99.7
Chilton (County Durham)
89.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Billingham
88.9%
Chilton (County Durham)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Billingham
454.1
Chilton (County Durham)
284.4
EPC Rating
Billingham
71.7
Chilton (County Durham)
71.5
Median Income
Billingham
£27,986
Chilton (County Durham)
£28,414
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Chilton (county Durham) commands an average of £166,696, compared with £155,837 in Billingham – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Billingham is a flat at £70,812, while in Chilton (county Durham) it is a terraced at £75,186.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 74% pricier in Chilton (county Durham) (£270,000 vs £70,812).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Billingham prices grew faster — 29% vs -15%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastChilton (county Durham) has a crime rate of 89.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 11% lower than Billingham at 99.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Billingham is violent-crime, while in Chilton (county Durham) 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 EastFamilies may prefer Chilton (county Durham), where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 88.9% in Billingham. There are 13 schools in Billingham and 1 in Chilton (county Durham).
Billingham School Inspection Breakdown
88.9% of 13 schools (11 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chilton (County Durham) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Billingham | Chilton (County Durham) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 13 | 1 |
| Primary | 11 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 88.9% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 454.1 Mbps in Billingham and 284.4 Mbps in Chilton (county Durham). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.3% of premises in Billingham and 89.6% in Chilton (county Durham). Gigabit availability stands at 90.1% in Billingham and 49.8% in Chilton (county Durham).
Billingham is the faster of the two by 60% on average download speed (454 vs 284 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Billingham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.7 (C), while Chilton (county Durham) averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,160 in Billingham and £1,191 in Chilton (county Durham). 67.4% of homes in Billingham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Chilton (county Durham).
Chilton (county Durham) has more energy-efficient housing — 68.5% reach band C or above, vs 67.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,414 in Chilton (county Durham) and £27,985.5 in Billingham. The median age is 43.2 in Billingham and 44.7 in Chilton (county Durham). Owner-occupancy is 62.2% in Billingham versus 62.5% in Chilton (county Durham). Employment rates stand at 52.6% in Billingham and 51.2% in Chilton (county Durham).
| Indicator | Billingham | Chilton (County Durham) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,603 | 4,467 |
| Median Age | 43.2 | 44.7 |
| Median Household Income | £27,985.5 | £28,414 |
| Employment Rate | 52.6% | 51.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.2% | 62.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.1% | 26.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Billingham and Chilton (county Durham)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Billingham or Chilton (county Durham)?
Is Billingham or Chilton (county Durham) safer?
Which has better schools, Billingham or Chilton (county Durham)?
Which has faster broadband, Billingham or Chilton (county Durham)?
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