Town Pop. 1,321

Living in Houghton (Carlisle): Liveability Score 60/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Houghton (Carlisle) scores 60/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Lifestyle is where Houghton (Carlisle) most outperforms the national norm: 52/100 against a median of 21/100 across UK towns. The CA3 district averages 54/100, putting Houghton (Carlisle) 6 points above its own postcode area.

On lifestyle specifically, Houghton (Carlisle) sits 15 points below the CA3 district figure of 67/100. That sits 10 points above the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the top 10% of the towns and villages we score. Safety (92) and broadband (88) sit at 80/100 or above. The same breakdown for the wider area is on the CA3 postcode district.

60
OUT OF 100
Average
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Houghton (Carlisle) scores 60 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Houghton (Carlisle).
Or compare:
CA3 0AB CA3 8AB CA3 9AA CA3 CA6

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
92
157.5 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 92 crimes
↑ 109% above national average
Public order 23 crimes
↑ 168% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 21 crimes
↑ 134% above national average
Drugs 17 crimes
↑ 291% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 16 crimes
↓ 20% below national average
other 39 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Parking Area 23 crimes
  2. 2 Brunstock Lane 20 crimes
  3. 3 Crindledyke Close 18 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
72
Air Quality NO₂ 4.4 · PM2.5 4.7 · PM10 8 µg/m³
81
Green Space 51
Parks Ample 24
Sports Pitches Adequate 4
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 2

Services

Schools
36
2 schools in area · 12 within 4km
1Outstanding1Good
  • James Rennie SchoolSpecial · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • Houghton CofE SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
31
A&E departmentsCumberland Infirmary1.8 mi
Hexham General Hospital32.6 mi
Community Paramedic Service47.6 mi
Hospital waitsNorth Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust1.2 mi
Routine referral (median)12 wks
Treated within 18 weeks64.3%
A&E seen within 4 hrs62.6%
Nearest GP surgerySpencer Street Surgery1.8 mi
GP capacity3,846 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
88
Full fibre (FTTP)73.1%
available across Cumberland
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
88%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
88%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.9%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 40 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
77
Employment rate60.6%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed60.6%Unemployed1.8%Retired28.6%Student2.3%Other inactive6.7%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial42.8%Skilled & technical34.8%Routine & elementary22.4%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications13.8%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.6%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.9%Level 3 (A levels)18.7%Level 4+ (degree & above)36.4%Apprenticeship6.7%Other (incl. vocational)1.8%
Home ownership85.1%
Among the least-deprived 18% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
42
Council tax Cumberland · 2026-27
A £1,674
B £1,953
C £2,232
D £2,511
E £3,069
F £3,627
G £4,185
H £5,022
Energy North West England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water United Utilities
Average bill regional £456/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
51
Carlisle 2.2 mi
Wetheral 4.4 mi
Dalston 5.9 mi
J44 M6 1 mi
J44 M6 1.5 mi
J43 M6 2 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
52
Pubs & Bars Some 1
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 2
Retail Shopping Some 1
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £227,500 16
Semi-detached £195,000 10
5-year monthly trend
All Semi
£197k £215k £233k £250k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Carlisle 58 2.0 mi away ⇄
Harker 30 2.2 mi away ⇄
Cargo 52 2.8 mi away ⇄
Scotby 56 2.9 mi away ⇄
Wetheral 44 4.2 mi away ⇄
Warwick Bridge 40 4.2 mi away ⇄
Blackwell (Carlisle) 50 4.3 mi away ⇄
Oldwall 0 4.5 mi away ⇄
Cumwhinton 46 4.5 mi away ⇄
Burgh by Sands 32 5.4 mi away ⇄
Heads Nook 34 5.6 mi away ⇄
Dalston 49 5.9 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Houghton (Carlisle) a nice place to live?

Houghton (Carlisle) is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Houghton (Carlisle) is 60/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Houghton (Carlisle)?

Houghton (Carlisle) is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 92/100. There were 208 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Houghton (Carlisle)?

Among the top-rated schools in Houghton (Carlisle) are James Rennie School and Houghton CofE School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Houghton (Carlisle) in total.

What are house prices like in Houghton (Carlisle)?

The current median house price in Houghton (Carlisle) is £227,500, around 20% below the England and Wales average. By property type: semi-detached £195,000.

Houghton (Carlisle) in context

See the best places to live in Cumbria, ranked

Postcode districts in Houghton (Carlisle)

CA3 54 ⇄
CA6 39 ⇄

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