The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Madeley wins on house prices with a 7% gap. Crewe has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Madeley edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crewe
£239,596
Madeley
£223,536
Crime Rate
Crewe
59.7
Madeley
69.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crewe
93.8%
Madeley
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crewe
392.2
Madeley
235.8
EPC Rating
Crewe
70.9
Madeley
69.8
Median Income
Crewe
£32,000
Madeley
£30,424
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Crewe commands an average of £239,596, compared with £223,536 in Madeley – a difference of 7%. The most affordable entry point in Crewe is a flat at £101,378, while in Madeley it is a flat at £88,773.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 26% pricier in Madeley (£179,419 vs £133,042).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Madeley prices grew faster — 36% vs 32%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Crewe experience less crime overall, with a rate of 59.7 per 1,000 versus 69.5 per 1,000 in Madeley. The most common crime category in Crewe is violent-crime, while in Madeley 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 Madeley, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 93.8% in Crewe. There are 23 schools in Crewe and 3 in Madeley.
Crewe School Inspection Breakdown
93.8% of 23 schools (16 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Madeley School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crewe | Madeley |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 23 | 3 |
| Primary | 16 | 2 |
| Secondary | 7 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 93.8% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 392.2 Mbps in Crewe and 235.8 Mbps in Madeley. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.4% of premises in Crewe and 93.8% in Madeley. Gigabit availability stands at 73% in Crewe and 38% in Madeley.
Crewe is the faster of the two by 66% on average download speed (392 vs 236 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Crewe leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.9 (C), while Madeley averages 69.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,250 in Crewe and £1,300 in Madeley. 61.8% of homes in Crewe have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.4% in Madeley.
Crewe has more energy-efficient housing — 61.8% reach band C or above, vs 59.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,000 in Crewe and £30,424 in Madeley. The median age is 46.1 in Crewe and 46.4 in Madeley. Owner-occupancy is 71.9% in Crewe versus 69.4% in Madeley. Employment rates stand at 58.4% in Crewe and 56.4% in Madeley.
| Indicator | Crewe | Madeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,116 | 3,293 |
| Median Age | 46.1 | 46.4 |
| Median Household Income | £32,000 | £30,424 |
| Employment Rate | 58.4% | 56.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.9% | 69.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.6% | 32.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Crewe and Madeley?
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