Birtley vs Consett
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Consett wins on house prices with a 6% gap. Consett has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Consett
£173,763
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Consett
89.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Consett
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Consett
295.2
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Consett
71.2
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Consett
£29,165
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Birtley commands an average of £184,121, compared with £173,763 in Consett – a difference of 6%. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Consett it is a flat at £76,870.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 29% pricier in Birtley (£189,116 vs £146,725).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Consett prices grew faster — 33% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Consett experience less crime overall, with a rate of 89.4 per 1,000 versus 89.8 per 1,000 in Birtley. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Consett 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 Consett. There are 7 schools in Birtley and 11 in Consett.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Consett School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 11 schools (10 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Consett |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 11 |
| Primary | 6 | 10 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 406.6 Mbps in Birtley and 295.2 Mbps in Consett. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 84.5% in Consett. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 52% in Consett.
Birtley is the faster of the two by 38% on average download speed (407 vs 295 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Birtley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Consett averages 71.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,284 in Consett. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67% in Consett.
Birtley has more energy-efficient housing — 69.2% reach band C or above, vs 67% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,164.5 in Consett and £28,058.3 in Birtley. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 46.3 in Consett. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 63.9% in Consett. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 51.8% in Consett.
| Indicator | Birtley | Consett |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 29,874 |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 46.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,058.3 | £29,164.5 |
| Employment Rate | 52.4% | 51.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.5% | 63.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.4% | 28.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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