Birtley vs Killingworth
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Birtley is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 24% lower. Killingworth has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Killingworth
£241,634
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Killingworth
82.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Killingworth
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Killingworth
459.5
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Killingworth
73.1
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Killingworth
£30,494
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastProperty in Killingworth commands an average of £241,634, compared with £184,121 in Birtley – a difference of 24%. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Killingworth it is a flat at £81,500.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 30% pricier in Killingworth (£163,250 vs £114,757).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Killingworth prices grew faster — 61% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastKillingworth has a crime rate of 82.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 9% lower than Birtley at 89.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Killingworth 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 Killingworth. There are 7 schools in Birtley and 6 in Killingworth.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Killingworth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Killingworth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 6 |
| Primary | 6 | 5 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 459.5 Mbps in Killingworth and 406.6 Mbps in Birtley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 98.9% in Killingworth. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 90% in Killingworth.
Killingworth is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (460 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Killingworth, scoring 73.1 on average (band C) compared to 71.8 (band C) in Birtley. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,094 in Killingworth. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.1% in Killingworth.
Killingworth has more energy-efficient housing — 72.1% reach band C or above, vs 69.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,494 in Killingworth and £28,058.3 in Birtley. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 44.6 in Killingworth. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 56.7% in Killingworth. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 63.7% in Killingworth. Birtley has a population of 13,840 and Killingworth has 11,789.
| Indicator | Birtley | Killingworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 11,789 |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 44.6 |
| Median Household Income | £28,058.3 | £30,494 |
| Employment Rate | 52.4% | 56.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.5% | 63.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.4% | 32.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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