Birkenhead vs Bootle (Sefton)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Bootle (sefton) offers lower property prices by roughly 11%. Birkenhead has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bootle (sefton) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birkenhead
£154,135
Bootle (Sefton)
£139,379
Crime Rate
Birkenhead
69.9
Bootle (Sefton)
75.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birkenhead
72.4%
Bootle (Sefton)
83.3%
Avg Download Speed
Birkenhead
480.6
Bootle (Sefton)
399.8
EPC Rating
Birkenhead
68.2
Bootle (Sefton)
71.2
Median Income
Birkenhead
£31,125
Bootle (Sefton)
£28,521
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Bootle (sefton) is £139,379, which is 11% less than Birkenhead at £154,135. The most affordable entry point in Birkenhead is a flat at £95,518, while in Bootle (sefton) it is a flat at £64,930.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 75% pricier in Birkenhead (£412,758 vs £236,076).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bootle (sefton) prices grew faster — 43% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 69.9 offences per 1,000 people, Birkenhead is the safer of the two – 9% lower than Bootle (sefton)'s 75.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Birkenhead is violent-crime, while in Bootle (sefton) 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 WestBootle (sefton) has 83.3% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 72.4% in Birkenhead. Birkenhead has 38 schools in total, while Bootle (sefton) has 20.
Birkenhead School Inspection Breakdown
72.4% of 38 schools (31 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bootle (Sefton) School Inspection Breakdown
83.3% of 20 schools (16 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birkenhead | Bootle (Sefton) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 38 | 20 |
| Primary | 31 | 16 |
| Secondary | 7 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 72.4% | 83.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Birkenhead offers faster average downloads at 480.6 Mbps, compared to 399.8 Mbps in Bootle (sefton). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.6% of premises in Birkenhead and 97.2% in Bootle (sefton). Gigabit availability stands at 95.4% in Birkenhead and 76.4% in Bootle (sefton).
Birkenhead is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (481 vs 400 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Bootle (sefton) are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 71.2 (band C) versus 68.2 (band C) in Birkenhead. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,226 in Birkenhead and £1,072 in Bootle (sefton). 53.7% of homes in Birkenhead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.1% in Bootle (sefton).
Bootle (sefton) has more energy-efficient housing — 69.1% reach band C or above, vs 53.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,125 in Birkenhead and £28,520.5 in Bootle (sefton). The median age is 45.4 in Birkenhead and 43.3 in Bootle (sefton). Employment rates stand at 53.2% in Birkenhead and 52.4% in Bootle (sefton). Owner-occupancy is 65% in Birkenhead versus 56.7% in Bootle (sefton).
| Indicator | Birkenhead | Bootle (Sefton) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,854 | 53,722 |
| Median Age | 45.4 | 43.3 |
| Median Household Income | £31,125 | £28,520.5 |
| Employment Rate | 53.2% | 52.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 65% | 56.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 30.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Birkenhead or Bootle (sefton)?
Is Birkenhead or Bootle (sefton) safer?
Which has better schools, Birkenhead or Bootle (sefton)?
Which has faster broadband, Birkenhead or Bootle (sefton)?
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