Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) vs Rawtenstall
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) wins on house prices with a 8% gap. Rawtenstall has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
£228,340
Rawtenstall
£246,862
Crime Rate
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
84.2
Rawtenstall
64.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
97.7%
Rawtenstall
70.0%
Avg Download Speed
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
398.1
Rawtenstall
381.6
EPC Rating
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
71.8
Rawtenstall
69.3
Median Income
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
£30,947
Rawtenstall
£30,420
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Rawtenstall commands an average of £246,862, compared with £228,340 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) – a difference of 8%. The most affordable entry point in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) is a flat at £101,069, while in Rawtenstall it is a flat at £149,086.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 32% pricier in Rawtenstall (£149,086 vs £101,069).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Rawtenstall prices grew faster — 56% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Rawtenstall experience less crime overall, with a rate of 64.2 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 Rawtenstall 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 Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen), where 97.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 70% in Rawtenstall. There are 52 schools in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 13 in Rawtenstall.
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) School Inspection Breakdown
97.7% of 52 schools (43 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Rawtenstall School Inspection Breakdown
70% of 13 schools (9 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) | Rawtenstall |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 13 |
| Primary | 43 | 9 |
| Secondary | 9 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 97.7% | 70% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 398.1 Mbps in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 381.6 Mbps in Rawtenstall. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 93.5% in Rawtenstall. Gigabit availability stands at 76.3% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 71.1% in Rawtenstall.
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (398 vs 382 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.8 (C), while Rawtenstall averages 69.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,178 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and £1,398 in Rawtenstall. 65.9% of homes in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.9% in Rawtenstall.
Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) has more energy-efficient housing — 65.9% reach band C or above, vs 59.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,947.2 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and £30,420 in Rawtenstall. The median age is 44 in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 43.3 in Rawtenstall. Owner-occupancy is 71% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) versus 67.9% in Rawtenstall. Employment rates stand at 57.9% in Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and 57.8% in Rawtenstall.
| Indicator | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) | Rawtenstall |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,958 | 23,381 |
| Median Age | 44 | 43.3 |
| Median Household Income | £30,947.2 | £30,420 |
| Employment Rate | 57.9% | 57.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 71% | 67.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 30.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) and Rawtenstall?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) or Rawtenstall?
Is Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) or Rawtenstall safer?
Which has better schools, Blackburn (blackburn With Darwen) or Rawtenstall?
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