County Durham: Property, Schools and Retirement Costs
Across the 15 County Durham locations we cover, the average property price is £169,667 and Band D council tax averages £2,666. Barnard Castle is the most expensive at £260,000, Shildon the least at £125,000.
Across the 15 County Durham locations we cover, the average property price is £169,667 and Band D council tax averages £2,666. Barnard Castle is the most expensive at £260,000, Shildon the least at £125,000.
Buying a home in County Durham
The county average is £169,667. Across these locations 3 schools hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating and 31 schools are rated Good. School quality is the main reason prices differ between towns a few miles apart.
A 10% deposit on the county average is £16,967. Barnard Castle runs 53% above that average, so the same deposit reaches further in Shildon.
Average property price across County Durham
Later life and property wealth in County Durham
Owners aged 55 and over across County Durham sit on an average £169,667 of property value. Typical release at 65 is around £57,687, and interest compounds against the estate from day one.
Downsizing within the county is the alternative most people skip. It costs fees and stamp duty but carries no compounding interest. Both routes are compared in the town guides below.
Retirement costs across County Durham
Band D council tax averages £2,666 across these locations. That is £222 a month before anything else. Authorities set their own rate, so the bill can change with a short move.
Housing is the fixed line in any retirement budget. Each town guide converts the local figure into the pot needed to cover it at a 4% withdrawal rate.
Towns at a glance
| Town | Average price | Band D | Good or better schools | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnard Castle | £260,000 | £2,616 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Durham | £260,000 | £2,568 | 1 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Wolsingham | £220,000 | £2,567 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Chester-le-Street | £200,000 | £2,500 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Newton Aycliffe | £165,000 | £2,812 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Bishop Auckland | £160,000 | £2,649 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Consett | £160,000 | £2,500 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Seaham | £160,000 | £2,783 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Spennymoor | £160,000 | £2,738 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Crook | £145,000 | £2,500 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Peterlee | £140,000 | £2,948 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Ferryhill | £130,000 | £2,762 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Stanley | £130,000 | £2,622 | 2 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Willington | £130,000 | £2,568 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Shildon | £125,000 | £2,854 | 3 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
Compare towns directly
Side by side on price, deposit, schools and running costs.
Ask about Barnard Castle
Three details is all we need. You are told before anything is passed to a partner firm.
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Guides across County Durham
- Barnard Castle: School Catchments and House Prices in Barnard Castle, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Barnard Castle, Downsizing in Barnard Castle: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Barnard Castle: What Band D Really Costs
- Bishop Auckland: School Catchments and House Prices in Bishop Auckland, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Bishop Auckland, Downsizing in Bishop Auckland: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Bishop Auckland: What Band D Really Costs
- Chester-le-Street: School Catchments and House Prices in Chester-le-Street, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Chester-le-Street, Downsizing in Chester-le-Street: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Chester-le-Street: What Band D Really Costs
- Consett: School Catchments and House Prices in Consett, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Consett, Downsizing in Consett: What You Would Actually Release
- Crook: School Catchments and House Prices in Crook, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Crook, Downsizing in Crook: What You Would Actually Release
- Durham: School Catchments and House Prices in Durham, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Durham, Downsizing in Durham: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Durham: What Band D Really Costs
- Ferryhill: School Catchments and House Prices in Ferryhill, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Ferryhill, Downsizing in Ferryhill: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Ferryhill: What Band D Really Costs
- Newton Aycliffe: School Catchments and House Prices in Newton Aycliffe, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Newton Aycliffe, Downsizing in Newton Aycliffe: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Newton Aycliffe: What Band D Really Costs
- Peterlee: School Catchments and House Prices in Peterlee, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Peterlee, Downsizing in Peterlee: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Peterlee: What Band D Really Costs
- Seaham: School Catchments and House Prices in Seaham, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Seaham, Downsizing in Seaham: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Seaham: What Band D Really Costs
- Shildon: School Catchments and House Prices in Shildon, How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy in Shildon?, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Shildon, What a Lifetime Mortgage Really Costs in Shildon, Downsizing in Shildon: What You Would Actually Release, Inheritance Tax on a Shildon Home, Council Tax in Shildon: What Band D Really Costs, Stamp Duty on a Shildon Home
- Spennymoor: School Catchments and House Prices in Spennymoor, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Spennymoor, Downsizing in Spennymoor: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Spennymoor: What Band D Really Costs
- Stanley: School Catchments and House Prices in Stanley, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Stanley, Downsizing in Stanley: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Stanley: What Band D Really Costs
- Willington: School Catchments and House Prices in Willington, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Willington, Downsizing in Willington: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Willington: What Band D Really Costs
- Wolsingham: School Catchments and House Prices in Wolsingham, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Wolsingham, Downsizing in Wolsingham: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Wolsingham: What Band D Really Costs
Check broadband before you make an offer in County Durham
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in County Durham, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
We can introduce you to a specialist who can combine your mobile, broadband and utilities into one bill. There's no fee for the introduction.
We don't provide these services ourselves. Switching household bills is not a regulated financial service, so FCA protections and the Financial Ombudsman do not apply. We'll only pass your details to the specialist if you ask us to. See our privacy notice.
Questions people ask
Where are house prices highest in County Durham?
How much is council tax in County Durham?
Does That's Family Finance cover the whole of County Durham?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in County Durham?
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.