Town comparison
Amersham vs Harpenden
Which is better to live in? 14.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Amersham wins on house prices with a 24% gap. Amersham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Amersham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Amersham
£743,166
Harpenden
£979,884
Crime Rate
Amersham
59.2
Harpenden
64.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Amersham
100.0%
Harpenden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Amersham
428.1
Harpenden
449.6
EPC Rating
Amersham
70.5
Harpenden
72.1
Median Income
Amersham
£35,471
Harpenden
£38,821
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Harpenden commands an average of £979,884, compared with £743,166 in Amersham – a difference of 24%. The most affordable entry point in Amersham is a flat at £333,169, while in Harpenden it is a flat at £401,751.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 24% pricier in Harpenden (£1,475,929 vs £1,124,305).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harpenden prices grew faster — 31% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Amersham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 59.2 per 1,000 versus 64.2 per 1,000 in Harpenden. The most common crime category in Amersham is violent-crime, while in Harpenden 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 EastFamilies may prefer Amersham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Harpenden. There are 9 schools in Amersham and 17 in Harpenden.
Amersham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Harpenden School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Amersham | Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 9 | 17 |
| Primary | 7 | 13 |
| Secondary | 2 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 449.6 Mbps in Harpenden and 428.1 Mbps in Amersham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.8% of premises in Amersham and 97.3% in Harpenden. Gigabit availability stands at 82.9% in Amersham and 86.1% in Harpenden.
Harpenden is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (450 vs 428 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Harpenden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.1 (C), while Amersham averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,241 in Amersham and £1,209 in Harpenden. 65.8% of homes in Amersham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.1% in Harpenden.
Harpenden has more energy-efficient housing — 67.1% reach band C or above, vs 65.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,821 in Harpenden and £35,471 in Amersham. The median age is 43.4 in Amersham and 42.5 in Harpenden. Owner-occupancy is 70% in Amersham versus 71.1% in Harpenden. Employment rates stand at 61.6% in Amersham and 63.3% in Harpenden.
| Indicator | Amersham | Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,377 | 30,964 |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £35,471 | £38,821 |
| Employment Rate | 61.6% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 71.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 41% | 43.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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