Town comparison
Bradford vs Ilkley
Which is better to live in? 9.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Bradford is about 64% cheaper on average. Bradford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ilkley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bradford
£170,910
Ilkley
£473,279
Crime Rate
Bradford
119.6
Ilkley
119.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bradford
92.0%
Ilkley
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bradford
350.4
Ilkley
365.1
EPC Rating
Bradford
69.2
Ilkley
70.3
Median Income
Bradford
£27,514
Ilkley
£29,805
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberBuyers will find Bradford more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £170,910 versus £473,279 in Ilkley. The most affordable entry point in Bradford is a flat at £94,628, while in Ilkley it is a flat at £282,262.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 69% pricier in Ilkley (£411,675 vs £128,828).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bradford prices grew faster — 41% vs 25%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberCrime is lower in Bradford (119.6 per 1,000) compared to Ilkley (119.7 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Bradford is violent-crime, while in Ilkley 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 Yorkshire and the HumberSchool quality favours Ilkley: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 92% in Bradford.
Bradford School Inspection Breakdown
92% of 122 schools (97 primary, 25 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ilkley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bradford | Ilkley |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 122 | 5 |
| Primary | 97 | 4 |
| Secondary | 25 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 92% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Ilkley enjoy 365.1 Mbps on average, while Bradford lags behind at 350.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 80.1% of premises in Bradford and 91.7% in Ilkley. Gigabit availability stands at 67.1% in Bradford and 66.9% in Ilkley.
Ilkley is the faster of the two by 4% on average download speed (365 vs 350 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Ilkley is band C (score 70.3), ahead of Bradford's band C (score 69.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,161 in Bradford and £1,370 in Ilkley. 59.2% of homes in Bradford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.1% in Ilkley.
Ilkley has more energy-efficient housing — 60.1% reach band C or above, vs 59.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bradford has a population of 333,968 while Ilkley has 14,852. Median household income is £29,804.9 in Ilkley and £27,514 in Bradford. The median age is 39.2 in Bradford and 46.2 in Ilkley. Employment rates stand at 52.5% in Bradford and 56.4% in Ilkley.
| Indicator | Bradford | Ilkley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 333,968 | 14,852 |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 46.2 |
| Median Household Income | £27,514 | £29,804.9 |
| Employment Rate | 52.5% | 56.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 61.7% | 66.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 33.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bradford and Ilkley?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bradford or Ilkley?
Is Bradford or Ilkley safer?
Which has better schools, Bradford or Ilkley?
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