Bowburn vs Durham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Bowburn offers lower property prices by roughly 36%. Bowburn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bowburn edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bowburn
£142,993
Durham
£224,118
Crime Rate
Bowburn
89.4
Durham
89.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bowburn
100.0%
Durham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bowburn
349.2
Durham
347.6
EPC Rating
Bowburn
71.5
Durham
71.5
Median Income
Bowburn
£28,414
Durham
£28,414
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North EastBuyers will find Bowburn more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £142,993 versus £224,118 in Durham. The most affordable entry point in Bowburn is a terraced at £95,398, while in Durham it is a flat at £145,461.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 46% pricier in Durham (£176,610 vs £95,398).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bowburn prices grew faster — 11% vs -2%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North EastWith 89.4 offences per 1,000 people, Bowburn is the safer of the two – 0% lower than Durham's 89.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bowburn is violent-crime, while in Durham 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 EastSchool quality favours Bowburn: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Durham.
Bowburn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Durham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 19 schools (15 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bowburn | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 19 |
| Primary | 1 | 15 |
| Secondary | 0 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Bowburn enjoy 349.2 Mbps on average, while Durham lags behind at 347.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.3% of premises in Bowburn and 95% in Durham. Gigabit availability stands at 64.5% in Bowburn and 64.3% in Durham.
Bowburn is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (349 vs 348 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bowburn is band C (score 71.5), ahead of Durham's band C (score 71.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,191 in Bowburn and £1,191 in Durham. 68.5% of homes in Bowburn have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.5% in Durham.
Bowburn has more energy-efficient housing — 68.5% reach band C or above, vs 68.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bowburn has a population of 4,843 while Durham has 50,502. Median household income is £28,414 in Bowburn and £28,414 in Durham. The median age is 44.7 in Bowburn and 44.7 in Durham. Employment rates stand at 51.2% in Bowburn and 51.2% in Durham.
| Indicator | Bowburn | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,843 | 50,502 |
| 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 Durham?
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