Barnet vs Chigwell
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Chigwell is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 13% lower. Chigwell has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chigwell edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnet
£696,626
Chigwell
£617,191
Crime Rate
Barnet
66.8
Chigwell
64.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnet
98.0%
Chigwell
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnet
300.2
Chigwell
433.8
EPC Rating
Barnet
71.4
Chigwell
70.6
Median Income
Barnet
£36,651
Chigwell
£36,572
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in LondonProperty in Barnet commands an average of £696,626, compared with £617,191 in Chigwell – a difference of 13%. The most affordable entry point in Barnet is a flat at £371,853, while in Chigwell it is a flat at £338,714.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 53% pricier in Barnet (£681,753 vs £444,940).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnet prices grew faster — 16% vs -6%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in LondonChigwell has a crime rate of 64.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 4% lower than Barnet at 66.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Barnet is violent-crime, while in Chigwell 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 LondonFamilies may prefer Chigwell, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 98% in Barnet. There are 117 schools in Barnet and 4 in Chigwell.
Barnet School Inspection Breakdown
98% of 117 schools (90 primary, 27 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chigwell School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnet | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 117 | 4 |
| Primary | 90 | 3 |
| Secondary | 27 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 98% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 433.8 Mbps in Chigwell and 300.2 Mbps in Barnet. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Barnet and 97.9% in Chigwell. Gigabit availability stands at 48.5% in Barnet and 84.6% in Chigwell.
Chigwell is the faster of the two by 45% on average download speed (434 vs 300 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnet leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.4 (C), while Chigwell averages 70.6 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,118 in Barnet and £1,152 in Chigwell. 67.7% of homes in Barnet have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 63% in Chigwell.
Barnet has more energy-efficient housing — 67.7% reach band C or above, vs 63% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,651 in Barnet and £36,572 in Chigwell. The median age is 41.5 in Barnet and 41 in Chigwell. Owner-occupancy is 58.5% in Barnet versus 63.3% in Chigwell. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Barnet and 59.2% in Chigwell.
| Indicator | Barnet | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 388,143 | 12,251 |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 41 |
| Median Household Income | £36,651 | £36,572 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 59.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.5% | 63.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 44.3% | 37.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnet and Chigwell?
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