Chesterfield vs Darley Dale
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Chesterfield is about 17% cheaper on average. Darley Dale has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chesterfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Chesterfield
£246,172
Darley Dale
£296,827
Crime Rate
Chesterfield
98.7
Darley Dale
45.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Chesterfield
100.0%
Darley Dale
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Chesterfield
424.4
Darley Dale
293.7
EPC Rating
Chesterfield
69.4
Darley Dale
68.5
Median Income
Chesterfield
£29,757
Darley Dale
£30,661
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsBuyers will find Chesterfield more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £246,172 versus £296,827 in Darley Dale. The most affordable entry point in Chesterfield is a flat at £125,135, while in Darley Dale it is a terraced at £229,375.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 58% pricier in Darley Dale (£300,000 vs £125,135).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Darley Dale prices grew faster — 16% vs 1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsWith 45 offences per 1,000 people, Darley Dale is the safer of the two – 119% lower than Chesterfield's 98.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Chesterfield is violent-crime, while in Darley Dale 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 East MidlandsSchool quality favours Chesterfield: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Darley Dale.
Chesterfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 29 schools (23 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Darley Dale School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Darley Dale |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 29 | 2 |
| Primary | 23 | 2 |
| Secondary | 6 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Chesterfield enjoy 424.4 Mbps on average, while Darley Dale lags behind at 293.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.6% of premises in Chesterfield and 89.1% in Darley Dale. Gigabit availability stands at 82.2% in Chesterfield and 52.3% in Darley Dale.
Chesterfield is the faster of the two by 45% on average download speed (424 vs 294 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Chesterfield is band C (score 69.4), ahead of Darley Dale's band C (score 68.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,141 in Chesterfield and £1,310 in Darley Dale. 56.2% of homes in Chesterfield have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54% in Darley Dale.
Chesterfield has more energy-efficient housing — 56.2% reach band C or above, vs 54% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Chesterfield has a population of 76,394 while Darley Dale has 3,515. Median household income is £30,661.3 in Darley Dale and £29,756.5 in Chesterfield. The median age is 46.4 in Chesterfield and 47.9 in Darley Dale. Employment rates stand at 55% in Chesterfield and 55.4% in Darley Dale.
| Indicator | Chesterfield | Darley Dale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,394 | 3,515 |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 47.9 |
| Median Household Income | £29,756.5 | £30,661.3 |
| Employment Rate | 55% | 55.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.5% | 71.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.2% | 31.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Chesterfield and Darley Dale?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Chesterfield or Darley Dale?
Is Chesterfield or Darley Dale safer?
Which has better schools, Chesterfield or Darley Dale?
Which has faster broadband, Chesterfield or Darley Dale?
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