Town comparison
Manchester vs Salford
Which is better to live in? 2.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Salford is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 22% lower. Salford has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Salford edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Manchester
£319,011
Salford
£261,020
Crime Rate
Manchester
143.2
Salford
105.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Manchester
88.3%
Salford
90.0%
Avg Download Speed
Manchester
468
Salford
342.2
EPC Rating
Manchester
74.1
Salford
75
Median Income
Manchester
£28,386
Salford
£30,605
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Manchester commands an average of £319,011, compared with £261,020 in Salford – a difference of 22%. The most affordable entry point in Manchester is a flat at £224,609, while in Salford it is a flat at £229,446.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 7% pricier in Manchester (£473,031 vs £442,663).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Manchester prices grew faster — 38% vs 30%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestSalford has a crime rate of 105.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 35% lower than Manchester at 143.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Manchester is violent-crime, while in Salford 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 Salford, where 90% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 88.3% in Manchester. There are 146 schools in Manchester and 32 in Salford.
Manchester School Inspection Breakdown
88.3% of 146 schools (118 primary, 28 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Salford School Inspection Breakdown
90% of 32 schools (26 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Manchester | Salford |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 146 | 32 |
| Primary | 118 | 26 |
| Secondary | 28 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 88.3% | 90% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 468.0 Mbps in Manchester and 342.2 Mbps in Salford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.5% of premises in Manchester and 87% in Salford. Gigabit availability stands at 91% in Manchester and 64.4% in Salford.
Manchester is the faster of the two by 37% on average download speed (468 vs 342 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Salford leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 75 (C), while Manchester averages 74.1 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £915 in Manchester and £918 in Salford. 79.1% of homes in Manchester have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 82.8% in Salford.
Salford has more energy-efficient housing — 82.8% reach band C or above, vs 79.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,605 in Salford and £28,386 in Manchester. The median age is 34.7 in Manchester and 38.1 in Salford. Owner-occupancy is 37.2% in Manchester versus 47% in Salford. Employment rates stand at 53.5% in Manchester and 58.8% in Salford.
| Indicator | Manchester | Salford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,736 | 108,431 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.1 |
| Median Household Income | £28,386 | £30,605 |
| Employment Rate | 53.5% | 58.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 37.2% | 47% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.6% | 33.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Manchester and Salford?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Manchester or Salford?
Is Manchester or Salford safer?
Which has better schools, Manchester or Salford?
Which has faster broadband, Manchester or Salford?
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