Town comparison
Birkenhead vs Meols
Which is better to live in? 4.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Birkenhead wins on house prices with a 64% gap. Birkenhead has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Meols edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birkenhead
£154,135
Meols
£423,612
Crime Rate
Birkenhead
69.9
Meols
70.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birkenhead
72.4%
Meols
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birkenhead
480.6
Meols
467
EPC Rating
Birkenhead
68.2
Meols
68.2
Median Income
Birkenhead
£31,125
Meols
£31,125
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Meols commands an average of £423,612, compared with £154,135 in Birkenhead – a difference of 64%. The most affordable entry point in Birkenhead is a flat at £95,518, while in Meols it is a terraced at £268,333.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 55% pricier in Meols (£268,333 vs £120,302).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Meols prices grew faster — 40% vs 27%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Birkenhead experience less crime overall, with a rate of 69.9 per 1,000 versus 70.1 per 1,000 in Meols. The most common crime category in Birkenhead is violent-crime, while in Meols 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 Meols, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 72.4% in Birkenhead. There are 38 schools in Birkenhead and 1 in Meols.
Birkenhead School Inspection Breakdown
72.4% of 38 schools (31 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Meols School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birkenhead | Meols |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 38 | 1 |
| Primary | 31 | 1 |
| Secondary | 7 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 72.4% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 480.6 Mbps in Birkenhead and 467.0 Mbps in Meols. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.6% of premises in Birkenhead and 99.1% in Meols. Gigabit availability stands at 95.4% in Birkenhead and 92.2% in Meols.
Birkenhead is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (481 vs 467 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Birkenhead, scoring 68.2 on average (band C) compared to 68.2 (band C) in Meols. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,226 in Birkenhead and £1,226 in Meols. 53.7% of homes in Birkenhead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.7% in Meols.
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 Meols. The median age is 45.4 in Birkenhead and 45.4 in Meols. Employment rates stand at 53.2% in Birkenhead and 53.2% in Meols. Owner-occupancy is 65% in Birkenhead versus 65% in Meols. Birkenhead has a population of 109,854 and Meols has 5,023.
| Indicator | Birkenhead | Meols |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,854 | 5,023 |
| 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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