Birtley vs Longbenton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.7 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Birtley wins on house prices with a 24% gap. Longbenton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Longbenton
£243,308
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Longbenton
82.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Longbenton
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Longbenton
459.5
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Longbenton
73.1
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Longbenton
£30,494
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastAt £184,121, Birtley undercuts Longbenton (£243,308) by around 24% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Longbenton it is a terraced at £227,900.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 50% pricier in Longbenton (£227,900 vs £114,757).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Longbenton prices grew faster — 48% vs 29%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastResidents of Longbenton experience less crime overall, with a rate of 82.2 per 1,000 versus 89.8 per 1,000 in Birtley. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Longbenton 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 EastOf the 7 schools in Birtley, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Longbenton, which has 9 schools, the figure is 75%.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Longbenton School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 9 schools (8 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Longbenton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 9 |
| Primary | 6 | 8 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Longbenton averages 459.5 Mbps – ahead of Birtley's 406.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 98.9% in Longbenton. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 90% in Longbenton.
Longbenton is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (460 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Longbenton leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 73.1 (C), while Birtley averages 71.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,094 in Longbenton. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.1% in Longbenton.
Longbenton 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 Longbenton and £28,058.3 in Birtley. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 44.6 in Longbenton. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 63.7% in Longbenton. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 56.7% in Longbenton.
| Indicator | Birtley | Longbenton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 26,882 |
| 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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