Bolsover vs Dronfield
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.0 miles apart.
The verdict
Bolsover is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 37% lower. Dronfield has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bolsover edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bolsover
£205,178
Dronfield
£326,962
Crime Rate
Bolsover
94.5
Dronfield
52.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bolsover
100.0%
Dronfield
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bolsover
368.8
Dronfield
400.1
EPC Rating
Bolsover
70
Dronfield
69.3
Median Income
Bolsover
£28,787
Dronfield
£30,877
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £205,178, Bolsover undercuts Dronfield (£326,962) by around 37% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bolsover is a flat at £106,975, while in Dronfield it is a flat at £154,672.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 50% pricier in Dronfield (£237,262 vs £117,585).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bolsover prices grew faster — 67% vs 43%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsDronfield has a crime rate of 52.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 81% lower than Bolsover at 94.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bolsover is violent-crime, while in Dronfield 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 East MidlandsOf the 4 schools in Bolsover, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Dronfield, which has 10 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bolsover School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dronfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 10 schools (9 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bolsover | Dronfield |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 10 |
| Primary | 3 | 9 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Dronfield averages 400.1 Mbps – ahead of Bolsover's 368.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.2% of premises in Bolsover and 95.1% in Dronfield. Gigabit availability stands at 69.8% in Bolsover and 76.9% in Dronfield.
Dronfield is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (400 vs 369 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bolsover leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (C), while Dronfield averages 69.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,079 in Bolsover and £1,130 in Dronfield. 60.4% of homes in Bolsover have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.9% in Dronfield.
Bolsover has more energy-efficient housing — 60.4% reach band C or above, vs 57.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,877 in Dronfield and £28,786.7 in Bolsover. The median age is 45.7 in Bolsover and 47.3 in Dronfield. Owner-occupancy is 66.4% in Bolsover versus 70.5% in Dronfield. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Bolsover and 54.6% in Dronfield.
| Indicator | Bolsover | Dronfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,228 | 21,019 |
| Median Age | 45.7 | 47.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,786.7 | £30,877 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 54.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.4% | 70.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 25.4% | 27.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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