Bowdon vs New Mills
Which is better to live in? Distance: 15.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, New Mills wins on house prices with a 214% gap. New Mills has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bowdon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bowdon
£952,908
New Mills
£303,512
Crime Rate
Bowdon
74.0
New Mills
46.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bowdon
100.0%
New Mills
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bowdon
433.1
New Mills
312.1
EPC Rating
Bowdon
70.8
New Mills
70.8
Median Income
Bowdon
£32,892
New Mills
£31,619
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Bowdon commands an average of £952,908, compared with £303,512 in New Mills – a difference of 214%. The most affordable entry point in Bowdon is a terraced at £580,727, while in New Mills it is a flat at £172,279.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 292% pricier in Bowdon (£674,702 vs £172,279).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, New Mills prices grew faster — 64% vs 40%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of New Mills experience less crime overall, with a rate of 46.7 per 1,000 versus 74 per 1,000 in Bowdon. The most common crime category in Bowdon is violent-crime, while in New Mills 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 WestFamilies may prefer Bowdon, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in New Mills. There are 4 schools in Bowdon and 6 in New Mills.
Bowdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (2 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
New Mills School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bowdon | New Mills |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 6 |
| Primary | 2 | 5 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 433.1 Mbps in Bowdon and 312.1 Mbps in New Mills. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.2% of premises in Bowdon and 94% in New Mills. Gigabit availability stands at 83% in Bowdon and 56.2% in New Mills.
Bowdon is the faster of the two by 39% on average download speed (433 vs 312 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bowdon leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.8 (C), while New Mills averages 70.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Bowdon and £1,191 in New Mills. 62.9% of homes in Bowdon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.7% in New Mills.
Bowdon has more energy-efficient housing — 62.9% reach band C or above, vs 62.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,891.5 in Bowdon and £31,619 in New Mills. The median age is 44.2 in Bowdon and 45.2 in New Mills. Owner-occupancy is 70.5% in Bowdon versus 71.5% in New Mills. Employment rates stand at 59.1% in Bowdon and 58.5% in New Mills.
| Indicator | Bowdon | New Mills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,107 | 9,195 |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 45.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,891.5 | £31,619 |
| Employment Rate | 59.1% | 58.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.5% | 71.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40.3% | 37.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bowdon and New Mills?
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