Town comparison
Bolton (Bolton) vs Oldham
Which is better to live in? 13.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Oldham is about 12% cheaper on average. Bolton (bolton) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bolton (bolton) edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bolton (Bolton)
£261,398
Oldham
£234,278
Crime Rate
Bolton (Bolton)
98.4
Oldham
106.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bolton (Bolton)
96.5%
Oldham
78.1%
Avg Download Speed
Bolton (Bolton)
437.3
Oldham
423.4
EPC Rating
Bolton (Bolton)
71.4
Oldham
71.4
Median Income
Bolton (Bolton)
£27,821
Oldham
£29,509
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Oldham is £234,278, which is 12% less than Bolton (bolton) at £261,398. The most affordable entry point in Bolton (bolton) is a flat at £133,932, while in Oldham it is a flat at £152,961.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 12% pricier in Oldham (£152,961 vs £133,932).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Oldham prices grew faster — 55% vs 36%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 98.4 offences per 1,000 people, Bolton (bolton) is the safer of the two – 8% lower than Oldham's 106.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bolton (bolton) is violent-crime, while in Oldham 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 WestBolton (bolton) has 96.5% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 78.1% in Oldham. Bolton (bolton) has 72 schools in total, while Oldham has 43.
Bolton (Bolton) School Inspection Breakdown
96.5% of 72 schools (60 primary, 12 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Oldham School Inspection Breakdown
78.1% of 43 schools (37 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bolton (Bolton) | Oldham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 72 | 43 |
| Primary | 60 | 37 |
| Secondary | 12 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 96.5% | 78.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Bolton (bolton) offers faster average downloads at 437.3 Mbps, compared to 423.4 Mbps in Oldham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.1% of premises in Bolton (bolton) and 98.3% in Oldham. Gigabit availability stands at 83.2% in Bolton (bolton) and 81.7% in Oldham.
Bolton (bolton) is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (437 vs 423 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Bolton (bolton) are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 71.4 (band C) versus 71.4 (band C) in Oldham. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,126 in Bolton (bolton) and £1,101 in Oldham. 66.2% of homes in Bolton (bolton) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 70.7% in Oldham.
Oldham has more energy-efficient housing — 70.7% reach band C or above, vs 66.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,509 in Oldham and £27,821 in Bolton (bolton). The median age is 40.8 in Bolton (bolton) and 39.5 in Oldham. Employment rates stand at 54% in Bolton (bolton) and 52.5% in Oldham. Owner-occupancy is 61.5% in Bolton (bolton) versus 60.4% in Oldham.
| Indicator | Bolton (Bolton) | Oldham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,618 | 110,722 |
| Median Age | 40.8 | 39.5 |
| Median Household Income | £27,821 | £29,509 |
| Employment Rate | 54% | 52.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 61.5% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 24.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bolton (bolton) and Oldham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bolton (bolton) or Oldham?
Is Bolton (bolton) or Oldham safer?
Which has better schools, Bolton (bolton) or Oldham?
Which has faster broadband, Bolton (bolton) or Oldham?
Keep exploring