Brierley Hill vs Cradley Heath
Which is better to live in? Distance: 2.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Brierley Hill is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 17% lower. Brierley Hill has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cradley Heath edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brierley Hill
£215,206
Cradley Heath
£260,552
Crime Rate
Brierley Hill
74.7
Cradley Heath
95.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brierley Hill
71.4%
Cradley Heath
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Brierley Hill
450.4
Cradley Heath
439.5
EPC Rating
Brierley Hill
69.1
Cradley Heath
68.8
Median Income
Brierley Hill
£30,191
Cradley Heath
£28,800
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in West MidlandsProperty in Cradley Heath commands an average of £260,552, compared with £215,206 in Brierley Hill – a difference of 17%. The most affordable entry point in Brierley Hill is a flat at £98,253, while in Cradley Heath it is a flat at £106,173.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 8% pricier in Cradley Heath (£219,090 vs £201,998).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Cradley Heath prices grew faster — 76% vs 59%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in West MidlandsBrierley Hill has a crime rate of 74.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 27% lower than Cradley Heath at 95.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Brierley Hill is violent-crime, while in Cradley Heath 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 West MidlandsFamilies may prefer Cradley Heath, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 71.4% in Brierley Hill. There are 10 schools in Brierley Hill and 7 in Cradley Heath.
Brierley Hill School Inspection Breakdown
71.4% of 10 schools (9 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cradley Heath School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 7 schools (6 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Brierley Hill | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 10 | 7 |
| Primary | 9 | 6 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 71.4% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 450.4 Mbps in Brierley Hill and 439.5 Mbps in Cradley Heath. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.4% of premises in Brierley Hill and 99.6% in Cradley Heath. Gigabit availability stands at 87.9% in Brierley Hill and 85% in Cradley Heath.
Brierley Hill is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (450 vs 440 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Brierley Hill leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 69.1 (C), while Cradley Heath averages 68.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,153 in Brierley Hill and £1,116 in Cradley Heath. 56.7% of homes in Brierley Hill have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.8% in Cradley Heath.
Brierley Hill has more energy-efficient housing — 56.7% reach band C or above, vs 55.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,191 in Brierley Hill and £28,800 in Cradley Heath. The median age is 43.9 in Brierley Hill and 41.5 in Cradley Heath. Owner-occupancy is 66.4% in Brierley Hill versus 60.1% in Cradley Heath. Employment rates stand at 55.1% in Brierley Hill and 54% in Cradley Heath.
| Indicator | Brierley Hill | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,311 | 18,819 |
| Median Age | 43.9 | 41.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,191 | £28,800 |
| Employment Rate | 55.1% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.4% | 60.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 25% | 23.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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