Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) vs Longton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) wins on house prices with a 39% gap. Longton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Longton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
£228,340
Longton
£375,545
Crime Rate
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
84.2
Longton
67.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
97.7%
Longton
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
398.1
Longton
326
EPC Rating
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
71.8
Longton
71.8
Median Income
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
£30,947
Longton
£31,406
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Longton commands an average of £375,545, compared with £228,340 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) – a difference of 39%. The most affordable entry point in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) is a flat at £101,069, while in Longton it is a terraced at £175,600.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 40% pricier in Longton (£578,221 vs £346,938).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Longton prices grew faster — 64% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Longton experience less crime overall, with a rate of 67.4 per 1,000 versus 84.2 per 1,000 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). The most common crime category in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) is violent-crime, while in Longton 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 WestFamilies may prefer Longton, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 97.7% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). There are 52 schools in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 5 in Longton.
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) School Inspection Breakdown
97.7% of 52 schools (43 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Longton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (5 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) | Longton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 5 |
| Primary | 43 | 5 |
| Secondary | 9 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 97.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 398.1 Mbps in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 326.0 Mbps in Longton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 91.4% in Longton. Gigabit availability stands at 76.3% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 58.7% in Longton.
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) is the faster of the two by 22% on average download speed (398 vs 326 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Longton averages 71.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,178 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and £1,166 in Longton. 65.9% of homes in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.9% in Longton.
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) has more energy-efficient housing — 65.9% reach band C or above, vs 65.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,406.2 in Longton and £30,947.2 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen). The median age is 44 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 45.6 in Longton. Owner-occupancy is 71% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) versus 70.3% in Longton. Employment rates stand at 57.9% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 55.4% in Longton.
| Indicator | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) | Longton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,958 | 10,912 |
| Median Age | 44 | 45.6 |
| Median Household Income | £30,947.2 | £31,406.2 |
| Employment Rate | 57.9% | 55.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 71% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 31.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Is Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) or Longton safer?
Which has better schools, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) or Longton?
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