Birkenhead vs Hoylake
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Birkenhead is about 59% cheaper on average. Birkenhead has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hoylake edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birkenhead
£154,135
Hoylake
£373,504
Crime Rate
Birkenhead
69.9
Hoylake
70.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birkenhead
72.4%
Hoylake
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birkenhead
480.6
Hoylake
467
EPC Rating
Birkenhead
68.2
Hoylake
68.2
Median Income
Birkenhead
£31,125
Hoylake
£31,125
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Birkenhead is £154,135, which is 59% less than Hoylake at £373,504. The most affordable entry point in Birkenhead is a flat at £95,518, while in Hoylake it is a flat at £218,094.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 61% pricier in Hoylake (£311,847 vs £120,302).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hoylake prices grew faster — 36% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 69.9 offences per 1,000 people, Birkenhead is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Hoylake's 70 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Birkenhead is violent-crime, while in Hoylake 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 WestHoylake has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 72.4% in Birkenhead. Birkenhead has 38 schools in total, while Hoylake has 1.
Birkenhead School Inspection Breakdown
72.4% of 38 schools (31 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hoylake School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birkenhead | Hoylake |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 38 | 1 |
| Primary | 31 | 1 |
| Secondary | 7 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 72.4% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Birkenhead offers faster average downloads at 480.6 Mbps, compared to 467.0 Mbps in Hoylake. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.6% of premises in Birkenhead and 99.1% in Hoylake. Gigabit availability stands at 95.4% in Birkenhead and 92.2% in Hoylake.
Birkenhead is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (481 vs 467 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Birkenhead are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 68.2 (band C) versus 68.2 (band C) in Hoylake. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,226 in Birkenhead and £1,226 in Hoylake. 53.7% of homes in Birkenhead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.7% in Hoylake.
Birkenhead has more energy-efficient housing — 53.7% reach band C or above, vs 53.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,125 in Birkenhead and £31,125 in Hoylake. The median age is 45.4 in Birkenhead and 45.4 in Hoylake. Employment rates stand at 53.2% in Birkenhead and 53.2% in Hoylake. Owner-occupancy is 65% in Birkenhead versus 65% in Hoylake.
| Indicator | Birkenhead | Hoylake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,854 | 5,311 |
| Median Age | 45.4 | 45.4 |
| Median Household Income | £31,125 | £31,125 |
| Employment Rate | 53.2% | 53.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 65% | 65% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 31.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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