Irchester vs Northampton
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Irchester is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 13% lower. Irchester has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Irchester edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Irchester
£285,422
Northampton
£329,344
Crime Rate
Irchester
75.5
Northampton
97.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Irchester
100.0%
Northampton
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Irchester
451.3
Northampton
477
EPC Rating
Irchester
72.5
Northampton
72.8
Median Income
Irchester
£32,409
Northampton
£31,555
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsProperty in Northampton commands an average of £329,344, compared with £285,422 in Irchester – a difference of 13%. The most affordable entry point in Irchester is a flat at £125,000, while in Northampton it is a flat at £146,260.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 15% pricier in Northampton (£455,514 vs £386,848).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Irchester prices grew faster — 65% vs 41%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsIrchester has a crime rate of 75.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 29% lower than Northampton at 97.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Irchester is violent-crime, while in Northampton 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 MidlandsFamilies may prefer Irchester, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Northampton. There are 1 schools in Irchester and 69 in Northampton.
Irchester School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Northampton School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 69 schools (57 primary, 12 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Irchester | Northampton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 69 |
| Primary | 1 | 57 |
| Secondary | 0 | 12 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 477.0 Mbps in Northampton and 451.3 Mbps in Irchester. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.9% of premises in Irchester and 99.1% in Northampton. Gigabit availability stands at 88.6% in Irchester and 94.5% in Northampton.
Northampton is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (477 vs 451 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Northampton leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.8 (C), while Irchester averages 72.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,096 in Irchester and £1,121 in Northampton. 69.9% of homes in Irchester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.4% in Northampton.
Irchester has more energy-efficient housing — 69.9% reach band C or above, vs 68.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,409 in Irchester and £31,554.5 in Northampton. The median age is 42 in Irchester and 42 in Northampton. Owner-occupancy is 63.9% in Irchester versus 64.9% in Northampton. Employment rates stand at 61.5% in Irchester and 62.3% in Northampton.
| Indicator | Irchester | Northampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,543 | 243,883 |
| Median Age | 42 | 42 |
| Median Household Income | £32,409 | £31,554.5 |
| Employment Rate | 61.5% | 62.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.9% | 64.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.7% | 29.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Irchester and Northampton?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Irchester or Northampton?
Is Irchester or Northampton safer?
Which has better schools, Irchester or Northampton?
Which has faster broadband, Irchester or Northampton?
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