Town comparison
Birtley vs Crook
Which is better to live in? 14.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Crook wins on house prices with a 7% gap. Birtley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Crook
£171,351
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Crook
119.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Crook
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Crook
378.8
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Crook
71.5
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Crook
£28,414
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Birtley commands an average of £184,121, compared with £171,351 in Crook – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Crook it is a flat at £31,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 121% pricier in Birtley (£68,516 vs £31,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Crook prices grew faster — 59% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Birtley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 89.8 per 1,000 versus 119.5 per 1,000 in Crook. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Crook 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 Crook. There are 7 schools in Birtley and 3 in Crook.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Crook School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Crook |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 3 |
| Primary | 6 | 3 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 406.6 Mbps in Birtley and 378.8 Mbps in Crook. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 91.3% in Crook. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 72.4% in Crook.
Birtley is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (407 vs 379 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Birtley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Crook averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,191 in Crook. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Crook.
Birtley has more energy-efficient housing — 69.2% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,414 in Crook and £28,058.3 in Birtley. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 44.7 in Crook. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 62.5% in Crook. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 51.2% in Crook.
| Indicator | Birtley | Crook |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 9,717 |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 44.7 |
| Median Household Income | £28,058.3 | £28,414 |
| Employment Rate | 52.4% | 51.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.5% | 62.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.4% | 26.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Birtley and Crook?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Birtley or Crook?
Is Birtley or Crook safer?
Which has better schools, Birtley or Crook?
Which has faster broadband, Birtley or Crook?
Keep exploring