Blackheath vs Dickens Heath
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Dickens Heath is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 251% lower. Dickens Heath has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Blackheath edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Blackheath
£894,432
Dickens Heath
£254,465
Crime Rate
Blackheath
95.1
Dickens Heath
78.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Blackheath
100.0%
Dickens Heath
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Blackheath
439.4
Dickens Heath
462
EPC Rating
Blackheath
68.8
Dickens Heath
69.8
Median Income
Blackheath
£28,800
Dickens Heath
£33,940
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Blackheath commands an average of £894,432, compared with £254,465 in Dickens Heath – a difference of 251%. The most affordable entry point in Blackheath is a flat at £629,111, while in Dickens Heath it is a flat at £208,841.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 201% pricier in Blackheath (£629,111 vs £208,841).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Blackheath prices grew faster — 20% vs 20%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsDickens Heath has a crime rate of 78.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 21% lower than Blackheath at 95.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Blackheath is violent-crime, while in Dickens Heath 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 West MidlandsFamilies may prefer Blackheath, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Dickens Heath. There are 1 schools in Blackheath and 1 in Dickens Heath.
Blackheath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dickens Heath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Blackheath | Dickens Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 462.0 Mbps in Dickens Heath and 439.4 Mbps in Blackheath. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Blackheath and 96.7% in Dickens Heath. Gigabit availability stands at 81.3% in Blackheath and 91.4% in Dickens Heath.
Dickens Heath is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (462 vs 439 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Dickens Heath, scoring 69.8 on average (band C) compared to 68.8 (band C) in Blackheath. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,116 in Blackheath and £1,242 in Dickens Heath. 55.8% of homes in Blackheath have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.4% in Dickens Heath.
Dickens Heath has more energy-efficient housing — 61.4% reach band C or above, vs 55.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,939.5 in Dickens Heath and £28,800 in Blackheath. The median age is 41.5 in Blackheath and 45.6 in Dickens Heath. Employment rates stand at 54% in Blackheath and 57.2% in Dickens Heath. Owner-occupancy is 60.1% in Blackheath versus 74.8% in Dickens Heath. Blackheath has a population of 6,950 and Dickens Heath has 4,797.
| Indicator | Blackheath | Dickens Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,950 | 4,797 |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 45.6 |
| Median Household Income | £28,800 | £33,939.5 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 57.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.1% | 74.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 36% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Blackheath and Dickens Heath?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Blackheath or Dickens Heath?
Is Blackheath or Dickens Heath safer?
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