Carnforth vs Kendal
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Kendal offers lower property prices by roughly 3%. For families, Carnforth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Carnforth
£312,342
Kendal
£303,232
Crime Rate
Carnforth
73.3
Kendal
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Carnforth
100.0%
Kendal
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Carnforth
422.2
Kendal
461.1
EPC Rating
Carnforth
67.1
Kendal
67
Median Income
Carnforth
£32,519
Kendal
£33,536
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestThe average house price in Kendal is £303,232, which is 3% less than Carnforth at £312,342. The most affordable entry point in Carnforth is a flat at £205,720, while in Kendal it is a flat at £171,645.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 20% pricier in Carnforth (£205,720 vs £171,645).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Kendal prices grew faster — 28% vs 18%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime rate data is not available for both Carnforth and Kendal at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in North WestCarnforth has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 100% in Kendal. Carnforth has 4 schools in total, while Kendal has 9.
Carnforth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kendal School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Carnforth | Kendal |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 9 |
| Primary | 3 | 7 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Kendal offers faster average downloads at 461.1 Mbps, compared to 422.2 Mbps in Carnforth. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Carnforth and 99.2% in Kendal. Gigabit availability stands at 81.9% in Carnforth and 90.6% in Kendal.
Kendal is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (461 vs 422 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Carnforth are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 67.1 (band C) versus 67 (band C) in Kendal. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,592 in Carnforth and £1,677 in Kendal. 48.2% of homes in Carnforth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.2% in Kendal.
Carnforth has more energy-efficient housing — 48.2% reach band C or above, vs 47.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,536 in Kendal and £32,518.8 in Carnforth. The median age is 47.1 in Carnforth and 48.2 in Kendal. Employment rates stand at 55.6% in Carnforth and 56.8% in Kendal. Owner-occupancy is 70.3% in Carnforth versus 71.4% in Kendal.
| Indicator | Carnforth | Kendal |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,852 | 28,939 |
| Median Age | 47.1 | 48.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,518.8 | £33,536 |
| Employment Rate | 55.6% | 56.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.3% | 71.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.1% | 32% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Carnforth and Kendal?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Carnforth or Kendal?
Is Carnforth or Kendal safer?
Which has better schools, Carnforth or Kendal?
Which has faster broadband, Carnforth or Kendal?
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