Bollington vs Bowdon
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Bollington is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 63% lower. Bollington has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bollington edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bollington
£349,754
Bowdon
£952,908
Crime Rate
Bollington
59.7
Bowdon
74.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bollington
100.0%
Bowdon
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bollington
384.9
Bowdon
433.1
EPC Rating
Bollington
70.9
Bowdon
70.8
Median Income
Bollington
£32,000
Bowdon
£32,892
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Bowdon commands an average of £952,908, compared with £349,754 in Bollington – a difference of 63%. The most affordable entry point in Bollington is a flat at £223,409, while in Bowdon it is a terraced at £580,727.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 67% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £223,409).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowdon prices grew faster — 40% vs 38%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBollington has a crime rate of 59.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 24% lower than Bowdon at 74 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bollington is violent-crime, while in Bowdon 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 Bollington, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Bowdon. There are 3 schools in Bollington and 4 in Bowdon.
Bollington School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bollington | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 3 | 4 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 433.1 Mbps in Bowdon and 384.9 Mbps in Bollington. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.2% of premises in Bollington and 94.2% in Bowdon. Gigabit availability stands at 73.8% in Bollington and 83% in Bowdon.
Bowdon is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (433 vs 385 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bollington leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.9 (C), while Bowdon averages 70.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,250 in Bollington and £1,206 in Bowdon. 61.8% of homes in Bollington have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.9% in Bowdon.
Bowdon has more energy-efficient housing — 62.9% reach band C or above, vs 61.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Bowdon and £32,000 in Bollington. The median age is 46.1 in Bollington and 44.2 in Bowdon. Owner-occupancy is 71.9% in Bollington versus 70.5% in Bowdon. Employment rates stand at 58.4% in Bollington and 59.1% in Bowdon.
| Indicator | Bollington | Bowdon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,236 | 6,107 |
| Median Age | 46.1 | 44.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,000 | £32,891.5 |
| Employment Rate | 58.4% | 59.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.9% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.6% | 40.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bollington and Bowdon?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bollington or Bowdon?
Is Bollington or Bowdon safer?
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