Town comparison
Abingdon-on-Thames vs Harwell
Which is better to live in? 5.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Overall, Harwell offers lower property prices by roughly 26%. Abingdon On Thames has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Abingdon On Thames edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Abingdon-on-Thames
£524,455
Harwell
£415,434
Crime Rate
Abingdon-on-Thames
46.4
Harwell
46.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Abingdon-on-Thames
100.0%
Harwell
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Abingdon-on-Thames
424.1
Harwell
403.2
EPC Rating
Abingdon-on-Thames
72
Harwell
72
Median Income
Abingdon-on-Thames
£38,125
Harwell
£38,125
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Harwell more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £415,434 versus £524,455 in Abingdon On Thames. The most affordable entry point in Abingdon On Thames is a flat at £224,290, while in Harwell it is a flat at £224,272.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 22% pricier in Abingdon On Thames (£637,716 vs £522,422).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Abingdon On Thames prices grew faster — 36% vs 2%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Abingdon On Thames (46.4 per 1,000) compared to Harwell (46.6 per 1,000), a 0% difference. The most common crime category in Abingdon On Thames is violent-crime, while in Harwell 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 South EastSchool quality favours Abingdon On Thames: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Harwell.
Abingdon-on-Thames School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 12 schools (9 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Harwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Abingdon-on-Thames | Harwell |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 12 | 1 |
| Primary | 9 | 1 |
| Secondary | 3 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Abingdon On Thames enjoy 424.1 Mbps on average, while Harwell lags behind at 403.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.7% of premises in Abingdon On Thames and 96% in Harwell. Gigabit availability stands at 79.6% in Abingdon On Thames and 75.6% in Harwell.
Abingdon On Thames is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (424 vs 403 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Abingdon On Thames is band C (score 72), ahead of Harwell's band C (score 72). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,266 in Abingdon On Thames and £1,266 in Harwell. 66.1% of homes in Abingdon On Thames have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.1% in Harwell.
Abingdon On Thames has more energy-efficient housing — 66.1% reach band C or above, vs 66.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Abingdon On Thames has a population of 33,179 while Harwell has 3,067. Median household income is £38,125 in Abingdon On Thames and £38,125 in Harwell. The median age is 44.4 in Abingdon On Thames and 44.4 in Harwell. Employment rates stand at 63% in Abingdon On Thames and 63% in Harwell.
| Indicator | Abingdon-on-Thames | Harwell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,179 | 3,067 |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 44.4 |
| Median Household Income | £38,125 | £38,125 |
| Employment Rate | 63% | 63% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.2% | 69.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.8% | 43.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Abingdon On Thames and Harwell?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Abingdon On Thames or Harwell?
Is Abingdon On Thames or Harwell safer?
Which has better schools, Abingdon On Thames or Harwell?
Which has faster broadband, Abingdon On Thames or Harwell?
Keep exploring
Related comparisons
Compare Abingdon-on-Thames with other towns
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Benson
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Carterton
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Cholsey
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Didcot
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Drayton (Vale of White Horse)
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Eynsham
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Faringdon
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Goring
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Grove (Vale of White Horse)
- Abingdon-on-Thames vs Kennington