Town comparison
Ashtead vs Kensington and Chelsea
Which is better to live in? 13.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Ashtead is about 66% cheaper on average. Ashtead has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ashtead edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ashtead
£694,684
Kensington and Chelsea
£2,046,592
Crime Rate
Ashtead
56.0
Kensington and Chelsea
149.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ashtead
100.0%
Kensington and Chelsea
92.9%
Avg Download Speed
Ashtead
369.9
Kensington and Chelsea
449.6
EPC Rating
Ashtead
67.9
Kensington and Chelsea
70.9
Median Income
Ashtead
£37,374
Kensington and Chelsea
£44,396
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Ashtead more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £694,684 versus £2,046,592 in Kensington And Chelsea. The most affordable entry point in Ashtead is a flat at £331,010, while in Kensington And Chelsea it is a flat at £1,146,217.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 93% pricier in Kensington And Chelsea (£9,875,000 vs £662,434).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Ashtead prices grew faster — 17% vs 0%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastCrime is lower in Ashtead (56 per 1,000) compared to Kensington And Chelsea (149.7 per 1,000), a 167% difference. The most common crime category in Ashtead is violent-crime, while in Kensington And Chelsea 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 Ashtead: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 92.9% in Kensington And Chelsea.
Ashtead School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 6 schools (5 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kensington and Chelsea School Inspection Breakdown
92.9% of 32 schools (26 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ashtead | Kensington and Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 6 | 32 |
| Primary | 5 | 26 |
| Secondary | 1 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 92.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Kensington And Chelsea enjoy 449.6 Mbps on average, while Ashtead lags behind at 369.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.4% of premises in Ashtead and 97% in Kensington And Chelsea. Gigabit availability stands at 69.4% in Ashtead and 88.3% in Kensington And Chelsea.
Kensington And Chelsea is the faster of the two by 22% on average download speed (450 vs 370 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Kensington And Chelsea is band C (score 70.9), ahead of Ashtead's band C (score 67.9). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,489 in Ashtead and £948 in Kensington And Chelsea. 55% of homes in Ashtead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 69.6% in Kensington And Chelsea.
Kensington And Chelsea has more energy-efficient housing — 69.6% reach band C or above, vs 55% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Ashtead has a population of 14,830 while Kensington And Chelsea has 143,348. Median household income is £44,396 in Kensington And Chelsea and £37,374 in Ashtead. The median age is 47.8 in Ashtead and 39.3 in Kensington And Chelsea. Employment rates stand at 58.5% in Ashtead and 60.6% in Kensington And Chelsea.
| Indicator | Ashtead | Kensington and Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,830 | 143,348 |
| Median Age | 47.8 | 39.3 |
| Median Household Income | £37,374 | £44,396 |
| Employment Rate | 58.5% | 60.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 73.2% | 30.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 43.1% | 57.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ashtead and Kensington And Chelsea?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ashtead or Kensington And Chelsea?
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