Town comparison
Cheltenham vs Northway
Which is better to live in? 7.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Northway is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 75% lower. Northway has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cheltenham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cheltenham
£443,327
Northway
£253,256
Crime Rate
Cheltenham
79.2
Northway
46.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cheltenham
96.3%
Northway
50.0%
Avg Download Speed
Cheltenham
467.9
Northway
371
EPC Rating
Cheltenham
72.3
Northway
70.9
Median Income
Cheltenham
£32,548
Northway
£29,160
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestProperty in Cheltenham commands an average of £443,327, compared with £253,256 in Northway – a difference of 75%. The most affordable entry point in Cheltenham is a flat at £240,625, while in Northway it is a terraced at £217,714.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 106% pricier in Cheltenham (£681,351 vs £331,062).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Northway prices grew faster — 51% vs 34%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestNorthway has a crime rate of 46.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 70% lower than Cheltenham at 79.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cheltenham is violent-crime, while in Northway 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 South WestFamilies may prefer Cheltenham, where 96.3% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 50% in Northway. There are 33 schools in Cheltenham and 2 in Northway.
Cheltenham School Inspection Breakdown
96.3% of 33 schools (27 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Northway School Inspection Breakdown
50% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cheltenham | Northway |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 33 | 2 |
| Primary | 27 | 2 |
| Secondary | 6 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 96.3% | 50% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 467.9 Mbps in Cheltenham and 371.0 Mbps in Northway. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98% of premises in Cheltenham and 94.2% in Northway. Gigabit availability stands at 92% in Cheltenham and 70% in Northway.
Cheltenham is the faster of the two by 26% on average download speed (468 vs 371 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cheltenham leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.3 (C), while Northway averages 70.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,075 in Cheltenham and £1,246 in Northway. 69.4% of homes in Cheltenham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 64.1% in Northway.
Cheltenham has more energy-efficient housing — 69.4% reach band C or above, vs 64.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,548 in Cheltenham and £29,160.3 in Northway. The median age is 44.6 in Cheltenham and 47.7 in Northway. Owner-occupancy is 67.2% in Cheltenham versus 70.6% in Northway. Employment rates stand at 60.1% in Cheltenham and 57% in Northway.
| Indicator | Cheltenham | Northway |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,941 | 4,858 |
| Median Age | 44.6 | 47.7 |
| Median Household Income | £32,548 | £29,160.3 |
| Employment Rate | 60.1% | 57% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.2% | 70.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39.5% | 35.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cheltenham and Northway?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cheltenham or Northway?
Is Cheltenham or Northway safer?
Which has better schools, Cheltenham or Northway?
Which has faster broadband, Cheltenham or Northway?
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