Moving to Preston (PR2)

Lancashire · Preston

Planning a move to PR2? Discover council tax rates, Ofsted-rated schools, broadband speeds, green spaces and more for the Preston area.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, growing family, or relocating for work, this comprehensive area guide covers everything you need to know before moving to Preston. From local council tax rates and school ratings to broadband speeds and nearby green spaces, we've compiled the essential data to help you make an informed decision about your new home.

House Prices in Preston

Based on 1570 property sales recorded by HM Land Registry in PR2 during 2025–2026. Median prices give a more accurate picture than averages, as they aren't skewed by unusually high or low sales.

Median Price (all types)£182,000
Average Price (all types)£217,687

By Property Type

Detached£305,000 (334 sales)
Semi-Detached£200,000 (645 sales)
Terraced£132,750 (438 sales)
Flat / Maisonette£97,000 (115 sales)

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (Jan 2025 – present). Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2025-2026. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Safety & Crime in Preston

As with many well-connected urban areas, Preston sees higher-than-average recorded crime. This is common in districts with busy high streets, nightlife, and transport hubs — and doesn't necessarily reflect the experience of residents in quieter residential streets.

PR2 Total Crimes (13 months)9,743
National Average per District2,628
vs National Average271% above average

Breakdown by Category

Violence & Sexual Offences3,355 (262% above avg)
Anti-social Behaviour2,459 (480% above avg)
Public Order431 (138% above avg)
Vehicle Crime438 (229% above avg)
Shoplifting631 (188% above avg)
Criminal Damage & Arson784 (310% above avg)
Burglary307 (220% above avg)
Other Theft559 (221% above avg)
Drugs217 (133% above avg)
Robbery66 (83% above avg)
Theft from Person20 (59% below avg)
Bicycle Theft124 (439% above avg)
Possession of Weapons117 (350% above avg)

Source: data.police.uk street-level crime data (Apr 2025 – Apr 2026). National average calculated across 2,313 UK postcode districts. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Council Tax in Preston

Council tax is one of the most important ongoing costs to consider when moving to a new area. In Preston, council tax is managed by Preston. The table below shows estimated annual rates for all bands, extrapolated from the published Band D figure using the standard ratios set by central government.

BandProperty Value (1991)Annual Rate
A£0 – £40,000£1717.16
B£40,001 – £52,000£2003.35
C£52,001 – £68,000£2289.55
D£68,001 – £88,000£2575.74
E£88,001 – £120,000£3148.13
F£120,001 – £160,000£3720.51
G£160,001 – £320,000£4292.90
H£320,001+£5151.48

Figures are estimated from the published Band D rate. Actual charges may vary slightly. Property values are based on 1991 valuations used by the Valuation Office Agency.

View official council tax bands for Preston →

Essential Services Near Preston

83.5 / 100 — This convenience score reflects how well-served the PR2 area is for everyday needs. It's calculated from the density of GP surgeries, pharmacies, and supermarkets relative to the local population — giving you a realistic picture of how easy daily errands will be.

Total essential services (GPs + pharmacies + supermarkets)60

Green Spaces in Preston

Access to parks and green spaces is increasingly important for wellbeing, exercise, and family life. Our green space accessibility score measures the percentage of residential postcodes in PR2 that are within a 5-minute walk of a public park, playing field, or nature reserve.

96% of residential postcodes in PR2 have green space within walking distance, making this an exceptionally green area to live in.

Schools in Preston

For families with children, the quality of local schools is often the deciding factor when choosing where to move. Below is a breakdown of state-funded schools in the PR2 postcode district that have received an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted — the highest possible grade for teaching quality, leadership, and pupil outcomes.

Broadband in Preston

Reliable internet is essential for working from home, streaming, and staying connected. The broadband quality score for PR2 considers the proportion of properties with access to superfast, ultrafast, and gigabit-capable connections, as well as those still below the Universal Service Obligation (USO) threshold of 10Mbps.

62.8 / 100 — Overall broadband quality score for the PR2 district.

Superfast broadband (≥30Mbps)98.6%
Ultrafast broadband (≥100Mbps)87.9%
Gigabit capable86.6%
Below USO (≤10Mbps)0.1%

Moving to PR2? Compare broadband deals for your new address →

Energy Performance in Preston

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The median EPC band for PR2 gives you a sense of how well-insulated and energy-efficient homes in the area tend to be — which directly impacts your heating bills and carbon footprint.

Median EPC bandC
Median EPC score69
Total rated properties17274

Homes in PR2 average EPC Band C. Compare energy deals for your new home →

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Nearby Areas in PR Postcode Area