Town comparison
Ripon vs Sowerby
Which is better to live in? 9.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Sowerby wins on house prices with a 13% gap. Sowerby has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Sowerby edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ripon
£349,303
Sowerby
£308,282
Crime Rate
Ripon
47.5
Sowerby
47.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ripon
80.0%
Sowerby
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Ripon
129.4
Sowerby
256.9
EPC Rating
Ripon
70.3
Sowerby
70.3
Median Income
Ripon
£29,895
Sowerby
£29,895
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in Yorkshire and the HumberProperty in Ripon commands an average of £349,303, compared with £308,282 in Sowerby – a difference of 13%. The most affordable entry point in Ripon is a flat at £194,170, while in Sowerby it is a flat at £144,625.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 34% pricier in Ripon (£194,170 vs £144,625).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sowerby prices grew faster — 56% vs 17%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in Yorkshire and the HumberResidents of Sowerby experience less crime overall, with a rate of 47.2 per 1,000 versus 47.5 per 1,000 in Ripon. The most common crime category in Ripon is violent-crime, while in Sowerby 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 Sowerby, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 80% in Ripon. There are 7 schools in Ripon and 3 in Sowerby.
Ripon School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 7 schools (5 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sowerby School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ripon | Sowerby |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 7 | 3 |
| Primary | 5 | 2 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 256.9 Mbps in Sowerby and 129.4 Mbps in Ripon. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 80.7% of premises in Ripon and 78% in Sowerby. Gigabit availability stands at 14.9% in Ripon and 45.5% in Sowerby.
Sowerby is the faster of the two by 99% on average download speed (257 vs 129 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Ripon leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.3 (C), while Sowerby averages 70.3 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,432 in Ripon and £1,432 in Sowerby. 59.5% of homes in Ripon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 59.5% in Sowerby.
Ripon 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 Ripon and £29,895 in Sowerby. The median age is 48.1 in Ripon and 48.1 in Sowerby. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Ripon versus 68.4% in Sowerby. Employment rates stand at 56.9% in Ripon and 56.9% in Sowerby.
| Indicator | Ripon | Sowerby |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,593 | 4,727 |
| 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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