Crosby (Sefton) vs Formby
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Crosby (sefton) wins on house prices with a 25% gap. Crosby (sefton) has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Formby edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Crosby (Sefton)
£304,685
Formby
£408,356
Crime Rate
Crosby (Sefton)
75.9
Formby
75.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Crosby (Sefton)
93.3%
Formby
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Crosby (Sefton)
486
Formby
458.4
EPC Rating
Crosby (Sefton)
71
Formby
70.8
Median Income
Crosby (Sefton)
£27,377
Formby
£29,254
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestAt £304,685, Crosby (sefton) undercuts Formby (£408,356) by around 25% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Crosby (sefton) is a flat at £172,320, while in Formby it is a flat at £163,723.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 20% pricier in Formby (£270,262 vs £215,913).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Crosby (sefton) prices grew faster — 59% vs 43%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestResidents of Crosby (sefton) experience less crime overall, with a rate of 75.9 per 1,000 versus 75.9 per 1,000 in Formby. The most common crime category in Crosby (sefton) is violent-crime, while in Formby 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 WestOf the 17 schools in Crosby (sefton), 93.3% are in the top two inspection bands. In Formby, which has 9 schools, the figure is 100%.
Crosby (Sefton) School Inspection Breakdown
93.3% of 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Formby School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Crosby (Sefton) | Formby |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 17 | 9 |
| Primary | 13 | 7 |
| Secondary | 4 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 93.3% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Crosby (sefton) averages 486.0 Mbps – ahead of Formby's 458.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99% of premises in Crosby (sefton) and 97.4% in Formby. Gigabit availability stands at 96.1% in Crosby (sefton) and 90.1% in Formby.
Crosby (sefton) is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (486 vs 458 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Crosby (sefton) leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71 (C), while Formby averages 70.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,138 in Crosby (sefton) and £1,204 in Formby. 66.4% of homes in Crosby (sefton) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.6% in Formby.
Crosby (sefton) has more energy-efficient housing — 66.4% reach band C or above, vs 65.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,254 in Formby and £27,377 in Crosby (sefton). The median age is 46.9 in Crosby (sefton) and 46 in Formby. Owner-occupancy is 66.6% in Crosby (sefton) versus 68.7% in Formby. Employment rates stand at 53.6% in Crosby (sefton) and 54% in Formby.
| Indicator | Crosby (Sefton) | Formby |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,218 | 22,892 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 46 |
| Median Household Income | £27,377 | £29,254 |
| Employment Rate | 53.6% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.6% | 68.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 29.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Crosby (sefton) and Formby?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Crosby (sefton) or Formby?
Is Crosby (sefton) or Formby safer?
Which has better schools, Crosby (sefton) or Formby?
Which has faster broadband, Crosby (sefton) or Formby?
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