Blackheath vs Essington
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Essington wins on house prices with a 174% gap. Essington has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Blackheath edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Blackheath
£894,432
Essington
£325,895
Crime Rate
Blackheath
95.1
Essington
50.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Blackheath
100.0%
Essington
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Blackheath
439.4
Essington
459.5
EPC Rating
Blackheath
68.8
Essington
69
Median Income
Blackheath
£28,800
Essington
£29,283
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsAt £325,895, Essington undercuts Blackheath (£894,432) by around 174% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Blackheath is a flat at £629,111, while in Essington it is a flat at £137,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 367% pricier in Blackheath (£786,375 vs £168,250).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Essington prices grew faster — 34% vs 20%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsResidents of Essington experience less crime overall, with a rate of 50.7 per 1,000 versus 95.1 per 1,000 in Blackheath. The most common crime category in Blackheath is violent-crime, while in Essington 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 MidlandsOf the 1 schools in Blackheath, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Essington, which has 1 schools, the figure is 100%.
Blackheath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Essington School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Blackheath | Essington |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Essington averages 459.5 Mbps – ahead of Blackheath's 439.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Blackheath and 97.6% in Essington. Gigabit availability stands at 81.3% in Blackheath and 90.6% in Essington.
Essington is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (460 vs 439 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Essington leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69 (C), while Blackheath averages 68.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,116 in Blackheath and £1,200 in Essington. 55.8% of homes in Blackheath have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.6% in Essington.
Essington has more energy-efficient housing — 57.6% reach band C or above, vs 55.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,282.7 in Essington and £28,800 in Blackheath. The median age is 41.5 in Blackheath and 43.4 in Essington. Owner-occupancy is 60.1% in Blackheath versus 62.9% in Essington. Employment rates stand at 54% in Blackheath and 53.6% in Essington.
| Indicator | Blackheath | Essington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,950 | 3,471 |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £28,800 | £29,282.7 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 53.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.1% | 62.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 26.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Blackheath and Essington?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Blackheath or Essington?
Is Blackheath or Essington safer?
Which has better schools, Blackheath or Essington?
Which has faster broadband, Blackheath or Essington?
Keep exploring