Carleton vs Kirkham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Kirkham wins on house prices with a 11% gap. Kirkham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Carleton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Carleton
£272,429
Kirkham
£246,057
Crime Rate
Carleton
58.8
Kirkham
54.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Carleton
100.0%
Kirkham
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Carleton
456
Kirkham
326
EPC Rating
Carleton
70.5
Kirkham
71.8
Median Income
Carleton
£30,188
Kirkham
£31,406
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Carleton commands an average of £272,429, compared with £246,057 in Kirkham – a difference of 11%. The most affordable entry point in Carleton is a flat at £182,375, while in Kirkham it is a flat at £109,000.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 67% pricier in Carleton (£182,375 vs £109,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Kirkham prices grew faster — 34% vs 8%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Kirkham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 54.3 per 1,000 versus 58.8 per 1,000 in Carleton. The most common crime category in Carleton is violent-crime, while in Kirkham 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 Carleton, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 75% in Kirkham. There are 2 schools in Carleton and 4 in Kirkham.
Carleton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkham School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Carleton | Kirkham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 4 |
| Primary | 2 | 3 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 456.0 Mbps in Carleton and 326.0 Mbps in Kirkham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Carleton and 91.4% in Kirkham. Gigabit availability stands at 90.1% in Carleton and 58.7% in Kirkham.
Carleton is the faster of the two by 40% on average download speed (456 vs 326 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Kirkham, scoring 71.8 on average (band C) compared to 70.5 (band C) in Carleton. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,211 in Carleton and £1,166 in Kirkham. 60.2% of homes in Carleton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.9% in Kirkham.
Kirkham has more energy-efficient housing — 65.9% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,406.2 in Kirkham and £30,188 in Carleton. The median age is 48.2 in Carleton and 45.6 in Kirkham. Employment rates stand at 51.1% in Carleton and 55.4% in Kirkham. Owner-occupancy is 67.5% in Carleton versus 70.3% in Kirkham. Carleton has a population of 4,793 and Kirkham has 8,939.
| Indicator | Carleton | Kirkham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,793 | 8,939 |
| Median Age | 48.2 | 45.6 |
| Median Household Income | £30,188 | £31,406.2 |
| Employment Rate | 51.1% | 55.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.5% | 70.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.4% | 31.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Carleton and Kirkham?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Carleton or Kirkham?
Is Carleton or Kirkham safer?
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