Blackheath vs Highley
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.8 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Highley wins on house prices with a 338% gap. Highley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Blackheath edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Blackheath
£894,432
Highley
£203,980
Crime Rate
Blackheath
95.1
Highley
48.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Blackheath
100.0%
Highley
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Blackheath
439.4
Highley
317.4
EPC Rating
Blackheath
68.8
Highley
69.1
Median Income
Blackheath
£28,800
Highley
£29,576
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsAt £203,980, Highley undercuts Blackheath (£894,432) by around 338% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Blackheath is a flat at £629,111, while in Highley it is a flat at £81,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 677% pricier in Blackheath (£629,111 vs £81,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Highley prices grew faster — 30% vs 20%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsResidents of Highley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 48.4 per 1,000 versus 95.1 per 1,000 in Blackheath. The most common crime category in Blackheath is violent-crime, while in Highley 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 Highley, 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.
Highley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Blackheath | Highley |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Blackheath averages 439.4 Mbps – ahead of Highley's 317.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Blackheath and 82.4% in Highley. Gigabit availability stands at 81.3% in Blackheath and 59% in Highley.
Blackheath is the faster of the two by 38% on average download speed (439 vs 317 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Highley leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.1 (C), while Blackheath averages 68.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,116 in Blackheath and £1,405 in Highley. 55.8% of homes in Blackheath have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.2% in Highley.
Highley has more energy-efficient housing — 59.2% reach band C or above, vs 55.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,576 in Highley and £28,800 in Blackheath. The median age is 41.5 in Blackheath and 48.1 in Highley. Owner-occupancy is 60.1% in Blackheath versus 68.6% in Highley. Employment rates stand at 54% in Blackheath and 56% in Highley.
| Indicator | Blackheath | Highley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,950 | 3,305 |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £28,800 | £29,576 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 56% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.1% | 68.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 32.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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