Birmingham vs Dudley (Dudley)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Dudley (dudley) is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 24% lower. Dudley (dudley) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birmingham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birmingham
£266,208
Dudley (Dudley)
£214,068
Crime Rate
Birmingham
114.1
Dudley (Dudley)
74.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birmingham
91.9%
Dudley (Dudley)
80.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birmingham
476.4
Dudley (Dudley)
425.2
EPC Rating
Birmingham
69.5
Dudley (Dudley)
69.1
Median Income
Birmingham
£31,500
Dudley (Dudley)
£30,191
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Birmingham commands an average of £266,208, compared with £214,068 in Dudley (dudley) – a difference of 24%. The most affordable entry point in Birmingham is a flat at £174,356, while in Dudley (dudley) it is a flat at £100,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 74% pricier in Birmingham (£174,356 vs £100,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Dudley (dudley) prices grew faster — 76% vs 25%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsDudley (dudley) has a crime rate of 74.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 53% lower than Birmingham at 114.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Birmingham is violent-crime, while in Dudley (dudley) 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 West MidlandsFamilies may prefer Birmingham, where 91.9% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 80% in Dudley (dudley). There are 378 schools in Birmingham and 19 in Dudley (dudley).
Birmingham School Inspection Breakdown
91.9% of 378 schools (287 primary, 91 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dudley (Dudley) School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 19 schools (15 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birmingham | Dudley (Dudley) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 378 | 19 |
| Primary | 287 | 15 |
| Secondary | 91 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 91.9% | 80% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 476.4 Mbps in Birmingham and 425.2 Mbps in Dudley (dudley). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.2% of premises in Birmingham and 98.2% in Dudley (dudley). Gigabit availability stands at 94.4% in Birmingham and 78.4% in Dudley (dudley).
Birmingham is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (476 vs 425 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Birmingham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.5 (C), while Dudley (dudley) averages 69.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,182 in Birmingham and £1,153 in Dudley (dudley). 61.4% of homes in Birmingham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 56.7% in Dudley (dudley).
Birmingham has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 56.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,499.5 in Birmingham and £30,191 in Dudley (dudley). The median age is 42.1 in Birmingham and 43.9 in Dudley (dudley). Owner-occupancy is 65.1% in Birmingham versus 66.4% in Dudley (dudley). Employment rates stand at 54% in Birmingham and 55.1% in Dudley (dudley).
| Indicator | Birmingham | Dudley (Dudley) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,119,786 | 64,288 |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 43.9 |
| Median Household Income | £31,499.5 | £30,191 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 55.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.1% | 66.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.2% | 25% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Birmingham and Dudley (dudley)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Birmingham or Dudley (dudley)?
Is Birmingham or Dudley (dudley) safer?
Which has better schools, Birmingham or Dudley (dudley)?
Which has faster broadband, Birmingham or Dudley (dudley)?
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