Town comparison
Birtley vs Gateshead
Which is better to live in? 3.6 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Gateshead wins on house prices with a 8% gap. Birtley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Gateshead
£171,195
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Gateshead
89.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Gateshead
96.7%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Gateshead
413.6
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Gateshead
70.6
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Gateshead
£27,490
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Birtley commands an average of £184,121, compared with £171,195 in Gateshead – a difference of 8%. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Gateshead it is a flat at £102,941.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 33% pricier in Gateshead (£102,941 vs £68,516).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Birtley prices grew faster — 29% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Birtley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 89.8 per 1,000 versus 89.9 per 1,000 in Gateshead. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Gateshead 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 96.7% in Gateshead. There are 7 schools in Birtley and 41 in Gateshead.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Gateshead School Inspection Breakdown
96.7% of 41 schools (35 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Gateshead |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 41 |
| Primary | 6 | 35 |
| Secondary | 1 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 96.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 413.6 Mbps in Gateshead and 406.6 Mbps in Birtley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 95.5% in Gateshead. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 77.3% in Gateshead.
Gateshead is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (414 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Birtley, scoring 71.8 on average (band C) compared to 70.6 (band C) in Gateshead. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,103 in Gateshead. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.6% in Gateshead.
Birtley has more energy-efficient housing — 69.2% reach band C or above, vs 64.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,058.3 in Birtley and £27,490 in Gateshead. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 44.4 in Gateshead. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 54.1% in Gateshead. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 58% in Gateshead. Birtley has a population of 13,840 and Gateshead has 114,825.
| Indicator | Birtley | Gateshead |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 114,825 |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 44.4 |
| Median Household Income | £28,058.3 | £27,490 |
| Employment Rate | 52.4% | 54.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.5% | 58% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.4% | 28% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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