Bolton-le-Sands vs Lancaster
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Bolton Le Sands is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Bolton Le Sands has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bolton Le Sands edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bolton-le-Sands
£247,557
Lancaster
£247,557
Crime Rate
Bolton-le-Sands
73.1
Lancaster
73.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bolton-le-Sands
100.0%
Lancaster
85.7%
Avg Download Speed
Bolton-le-Sands
422.2
Lancaster
414.9
EPC Rating
Bolton-le-Sands
67.1
Lancaster
67.6
Median Income
Bolton-le-Sands
£32,519
Lancaster
£29,467
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £247,557, Bolton Le Sands undercuts Lancaster (£247,557) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bolton Le Sands is a flat at £149,941, while in Lancaster it is a flat at £149,941.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Bolton Le Sands (£425,366 vs £425,366).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bolton Le Sands prices grew faster — 22% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBolton Le Sands has a crime rate of 73.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Lancaster at 73.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bolton Le Sands is violent-crime, while in Lancaster 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 WestOf the 2 schools in Bolton Le Sands, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Lancaster, which has 17 schools, the figure is 85.7%.
Bolton-le-Sands School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lancaster School Inspection Breakdown
85.7% of 17 schools (12 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bolton-le-Sands | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 17 |
| Primary | 2 | 12 |
| Secondary | 0 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 85.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Bolton Le Sands averages 422.2 Mbps – ahead of Lancaster's 414.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Bolton Le Sands and 97.6% in Lancaster. Gigabit availability stands at 81.9% in Bolton Le Sands and 78.8% in Lancaster.
Bolton Le Sands is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (422 vs 415 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Lancaster leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 67.6 (C), while Bolton Le Sands averages 67.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,592 in Bolton Le Sands and £1,337 in Lancaster. 48.2% of homes in Bolton Le Sands have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.2% in Lancaster.
Lancaster has more energy-efficient housing — 51.2% reach band C or above, vs 48.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,518.8 in Bolton Le Sands and £29,467 in Lancaster. The median age is 47.1 in Bolton Le Sands and 43.8 in Lancaster. Owner-occupancy is 70.3% in Bolton Le Sands versus 67.1% in Lancaster. Employment rates stand at 55.6% in Bolton Le Sands and 52.2% in Lancaster.
| Indicator | Bolton-le-Sands | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,728 | 52,646 |
| Median Age | 47.1 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £32,518.8 | £29,467 |
| Employment Rate | 55.6% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.3% | 67.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.1% | 32.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bolton Le Sands and Lancaster?
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