Amersham vs Hemel Hempstead
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.1 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Hemel Hempstead wins on house prices with a 58% gap. Amersham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Amersham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Amersham
£743,166
Hemel Hempstead
£471,237
Crime Rate
Amersham
59.2
Hemel Hempstead
68.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Amersham
100.0%
Hemel Hempstead
96.4%
Avg Download Speed
Amersham
428.1
Hemel Hempstead
443
EPC Rating
Amersham
70.5
Hemel Hempstead
70.7
Median Income
Amersham
£35,471
Hemel Hempstead
£37,232
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Amersham commands an average of £743,166, compared with £471,237 in Hemel Hempstead – a difference of 58%. The most affordable entry point in Amersham is a flat at £333,169, while in Hemel Hempstead it is a flat at £241,157.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 48% pricier in Amersham (£597,436 vs £404,866).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hemel Hempstead prices grew faster — 29% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastResidents of Amersham experience less crime overall, with a rate of 59.2 per 1,000 versus 68.9 per 1,000 in Hemel Hempstead. The most common crime category in Amersham is violent-crime, while in Hemel Hempstead 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 96.4% in Hemel Hempstead. There are 9 schools in Amersham and 37 in Hemel Hempstead.
Amersham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 9 schools (7 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hemel Hempstead School Inspection Breakdown
96.4% of 37 schools (31 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Amersham | Hemel Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 9 | 37 |
| Primary | 7 | 31 |
| Secondary | 2 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 96.4% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 443.0 Mbps in Hemel Hempstead and 428.1 Mbps in Amersham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.8% of premises in Amersham and 96.6% in Hemel Hempstead. Gigabit availability stands at 82.9% in Amersham and 85.7% in Hemel Hempstead.
Hemel Hempstead is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (443 vs 428 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hemel Hempstead leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.7 (C), while Amersham averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,241 in Amersham and £1,223 in Hemel Hempstead. 65.8% of homes in Amersham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.9% in Hemel Hempstead.
Hemel Hempstead has more energy-efficient housing — 66.9% reach band C or above, vs 65.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,231.5 in Hemel Hempstead and £35,471 in Amersham. The median age is 43.4 in Amersham and 42.5 in Hemel Hempstead. Owner-occupancy is 70% in Amersham versus 67.4% in Hemel Hempstead. Employment rates stand at 61.6% in Amersham and 62.6% in Hemel Hempstead.
| Indicator | Amersham | Hemel Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,377 | 95,995 |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £35,471 | £37,231.5 |
| Employment Rate | 61.6% | 62.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 67.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 41% | 45.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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