Bowburn vs Crook
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Bowburn is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 17% lower. Bowburn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bowburn edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bowburn
£142,993
Crook
£171,351
Crime Rate
Bowburn
89.4
Crook
119.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bowburn
100.0%
Crook
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bowburn
349.2
Crook
378.8
EPC Rating
Bowburn
71.5
Crook
71.5
Median Income
Bowburn
£28,414
Crook
£28,414
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastAt £142,993, Bowburn undercuts Crook (£171,351) by around 17% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Bowburn is a terraced at £95,398, while in Crook it is a flat at £31,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 30% pricier in Crook (£331,342 vs £231,542).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Crook prices grew faster — 59% vs 11%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastBowburn has a crime rate of 89.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 34% lower than Crook at 119.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bowburn is violent-crime, while in Crook 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 EastOf the 1 schools in Bowburn, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Crook, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Bowburn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Crook School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (3 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bowburn | Crook |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 3 |
| Primary | 1 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Crook averages 378.8 Mbps – ahead of Bowburn's 349.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.3% of premises in Bowburn and 91.3% in Crook. Gigabit availability stands at 64.5% in Bowburn and 72.4% in Crook.
Crook is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (379 vs 349 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bowburn leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.5 (C), while Crook averages 71.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,191 in Bowburn and £1,191 in Crook. 68.5% of homes in Bowburn have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Crook.
Bowburn has more energy-efficient housing — 68.5% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,414 in Bowburn and £28,414 in Crook. The median age is 44.7 in Bowburn and 44.7 in Crook. Owner-occupancy is 62.5% in Bowburn versus 62.5% in Crook. Employment rates stand at 51.2% in Bowburn and 51.2% in Crook.
| Indicator | Bowburn | Crook |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,843 | 9,717 |
| Median Age | 44.7 | 44.7 |
| Median Household Income | £28,414 | £28,414 |
| Employment Rate | 51.2% | 51.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.5% | 62.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.7% | 26.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bowburn and Crook?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bowburn or Crook?
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