Birtley vs Spennymoor
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Spennymoor is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 23% lower. Spennymoor has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birtley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birtley
£184,121
Spennymoor
£150,232
Crime Rate
Birtley
89.8
Spennymoor
89.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birtley
100.0%
Spennymoor
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birtley
406.6
Spennymoor
403
EPC Rating
Birtley
71.8
Spennymoor
71.5
Median Income
Birtley
£28,058
Spennymoor
£28,414
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastAt £150,232, Spennymoor undercuts Birtley (£184,121) by around 23% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Birtley is a flat at £68,516, while in Spennymoor it is a flat at £89,500.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 25% pricier in Birtley (£189,116 vs £151,149).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Birtley prices grew faster — 29% vs 17%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastSpennymoor has a crime rate of 89.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Birtley at 89.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Birtley is violent-crime, while in Spennymoor 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 Spennymoor, which has 8 schools, the figure is 100%.
Birtley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Spennymoor School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birtley | Spennymoor |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 8 |
| Primary | 6 | 7 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Birtley averages 406.6 Mbps – ahead of Spennymoor's 403.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.8% of premises in Birtley and 96% in Spennymoor. Gigabit availability stands at 78.4% in Birtley and 77.5% in Spennymoor.
Birtley is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (407 vs 403 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Birtley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Spennymoor averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,117 in Birtley and £1,191 in Spennymoor. 69.2% of homes in Birtley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Spennymoor.
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 Spennymoor and £28,058.3 in Birtley. The median age is 44.5 in Birtley and 44.7 in Spennymoor. Owner-occupancy is 59.5% in Birtley versus 62.5% in Spennymoor. Employment rates stand at 52.4% in Birtley and 51.2% in Spennymoor.
| Indicator | Birtley | Spennymoor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,840 | 20,401 |
| 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 Spennymoor?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Birtley or Spennymoor?
Is Birtley or Spennymoor safer?
Which has better schools, Birtley or Spennymoor?
Which has faster broadband, Birtley or Spennymoor?
Keep exploring