Birtley vs Boldon Colliery
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Boldon Colliery wins on house prices with a 12% gap. Birtley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Boldon Colliery
£164,057
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Boldon Colliery
98.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Boldon Colliery
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Boldon Colliery
429.9
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Boldon Colliery
70.3
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Boldon Colliery
£27,564
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Birtley commands an average of £184,121, compared with £164,057 in Boldon Colliery – a difference of 12%. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Boldon Colliery it is a flat at £76,994.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 11% pricier in Boldon Colliery (£76,994 vs £68,516).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Birtley prices grew faster — 29% vs 7%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Birtley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 89.8 per 1,000 versus 98.3 per 1,000 in Boldon Colliery. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Boldon Colliery 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 Birtley, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Boldon Colliery. There are 7 schools in Birtley and 2 in Boldon Colliery.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Boldon Colliery School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Boldon Colliery |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 2 |
| Primary | 6 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 429.9 Mbps in Boldon Colliery and 406.6 Mbps in Birtley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 100% in Boldon Colliery. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 83.3% in Boldon Colliery.
Boldon Colliery is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (430 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Birtley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Boldon Colliery averages 70.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,083 in Boldon Colliery. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65% in Boldon Colliery.
Birtley has more energy-efficient housing — 69.2% reach band C or above, vs 65% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,058.3 in Birtley and £27,564 in Boldon Colliery. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 44.7 in Boldon Colliery. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 56.6% in Boldon Colliery. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 51.5% in Boldon Colliery.
| Indicator | Birtley | Boldon Colliery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 6,071 |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 44.7 |
| Median Household Income | £28,058.3 | £27,564 |
| Employment Rate | 52.4% | 51.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.5% | 56.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.4% | 26.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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