Carnforth vs Lancaster
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Lancaster is about 26% cheaper on average. Lancaster has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Carnforth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Carnforth
£312,342
Lancaster
£247,557
Crime Rate
Carnforth
73.3
Lancaster
73.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Carnforth
100.0%
Lancaster
85.7%
Avg Download Speed
Carnforth
422.2
Lancaster
414.9
EPC Rating
Carnforth
67.1
Lancaster
67.6
Median Income
Carnforth
£32,519
Lancaster
£29,467
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Lancaster more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £247,557 versus £312,342 in Carnforth. The most affordable entry point in Carnforth is a flat at £205,720, while in Lancaster it is a flat at £149,941.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 37% pricier in Carnforth (£205,720 vs £149,941).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Lancaster prices grew faster — 22% vs 18%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime is lower in Lancaster (73.2 per 1,000) compared to Carnforth (73.3 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Carnforth is violent-crime, while in Lancaster 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 WestSchool quality favours Carnforth: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 85.7% in Lancaster.
Carnforth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lancaster School Inspection Breakdown
85.7% of 17 schools (12 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Carnforth | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 17 |
| Primary | 3 | 12 |
| Secondary | 1 | 5 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 85.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Carnforth enjoy 422.2 Mbps on average, while Lancaster lags behind at 414.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Carnforth and 97.6% in Lancaster. Gigabit availability stands at 81.9% in Carnforth and 78.8% in Lancaster.
Carnforth is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (422 vs 415 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Lancaster is band C (score 67.6), ahead of Carnforth's band C (score 67.1). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,592 in Carnforth and £1,337 in Lancaster. 48.2% of homes in Carnforth have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.2% in Lancaster.
Lancaster has more energy-efficient housing — 51.2% reach band C or above, vs 48.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Carnforth has a population of 5,852 while Lancaster has 52,646. Median household income is £32,518.8 in Carnforth and £29,467 in Lancaster. The median age is 47.1 in Carnforth and 43.8 in Lancaster. Employment rates stand at 55.6% in Carnforth and 52.2% in Lancaster.
| Indicator | Carnforth | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,852 | 52,646 |
| Median Age | 47.1 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £32,518.8 | £29,467 |
| Employment Rate | 55.6% | 52.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.3% | 67.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 32.1% | 32.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Carnforth and Lancaster?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Carnforth or Lancaster?
Is Carnforth or Lancaster safer?
Which has better schools, Carnforth or Lancaster?
Which has faster broadband, Carnforth or Lancaster?
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