Town comparison
Harrogate vs Knaresborough
Which is better to live in? 3.0 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Knaresborough wins on house prices with a 13% gap. Harrogate has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Knaresborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Harrogate
£442,634
Knaresborough
£391,262
Crime Rate
Harrogate
47.4
Knaresborough
47.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Harrogate
94.4%
Knaresborough
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Harrogate
478.3
Knaresborough
439.4
EPC Rating
Harrogate
70.3
Knaresborough
70.3
Median Income
Harrogate
£29,895
Knaresborough
£29,895
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Harrogate commands an average of £442,634, compared with £391,262 in Knaresborough – a difference of 13%. The most affordable entry point in Harrogate is a flat at £286,061, while in Knaresborough it is a flat at £145,194.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 97% pricier in Harrogate (£286,061 vs £145,194).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harrogate prices grew faster — 28% vs 17%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Harrogate experience less crime overall, with a rate of 47.4 per 1,000 versus 47.6 per 1,000 in Knaresborough. The most common crime category in Harrogate is violent-crime, while in Knaresborough 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 Yorkshire and the HumberFamilies may prefer Knaresborough, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 94.4% in Harrogate. There are 22 schools in Harrogate and 5 in Knaresborough.
Harrogate School Inspection Breakdown
94.4% of 22 schools (17 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Knaresborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Harrogate | Knaresborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 22 | 5 |
| Primary | 17 | 4 |
| Secondary | 5 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 94.4% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 478.3 Mbps in Harrogate and 439.4 Mbps in Knaresborough. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.7% of premises in Harrogate and 93.7% in Knaresborough. Gigabit availability stands at 94% in Harrogate and 86.5% in Knaresborough.
Harrogate is the faster of the two by 9% on average download speed (478 vs 439 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Harrogate leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.3 (C), while Knaresborough averages 70.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,432 in Harrogate and £1,432 in Knaresborough. 59.5% of homes in Harrogate have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.5% in Knaresborough.
Harrogate has more energy-efficient housing — 59.5% reach band C or above, vs 59.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,895 in Harrogate and £29,895 in Knaresborough. The median age is 48.1 in Harrogate and 48.1 in Knaresborough. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Harrogate versus 68.4% in Knaresborough. Employment rates stand at 56.9% in Harrogate and 56.9% in Knaresborough.
| Indicator | Harrogate | Knaresborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,522 | 15,781 |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,895 | £29,895 |
| Employment Rate | 56.9% | 56.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 68.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.2% | 34.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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