Barnet vs Hatfield
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Hatfield wins on house prices with a 75% gap. Barnet has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hatfield edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnet
£696,626
Hatfield
£397,624
Crime Rate
Barnet
66.8
Hatfield
79.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnet
98.0%
Hatfield
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnet
300.2
Hatfield
437.7
EPC Rating
Barnet
71.4
Hatfield
71.9
Median Income
Barnet
£36,651
Hatfield
£36,249
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in LondonAt £397,624, Hatfield undercuts Barnet (£696,626) by around 75% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Barnet is a flat at £371,853, while in Hatfield it is a flat at £231,119.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 184% pricier in Barnet (£1,274,133 vs £448,543).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnet prices grew faster — 16% vs -4%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in LondonResidents of Barnet experience less crime overall, with a rate of 66.8 per 1,000 versus 79.2 per 1,000 in Hatfield. The most common crime category in Barnet is violent-crime, while in Hatfield 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 LondonOf the 117 schools in Barnet, 98% are in the top two inspection bands. In Hatfield, which has 10 schools, the figure is 100%.
Barnet School Inspection Breakdown
98% of 117 schools (90 primary, 27 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hatfield School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 10 schools (8 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnet | Hatfield |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 117 | 10 |
| Primary | 90 | 8 |
| Secondary | 27 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 98% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Hatfield averages 437.7 Mbps – ahead of Barnet's 300.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Barnet and 97.2% in Hatfield. Gigabit availability stands at 48.5% in Barnet and 82.9% in Hatfield.
Hatfield is the faster of the two by 46% on average download speed (438 vs 300 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Hatfield leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.9 (C), while Barnet averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,118 in Barnet and £1,110 in Hatfield. 67.7% of homes in Barnet have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 73.6% in Hatfield.
Hatfield has more energy-efficient housing — 73.6% reach band C or above, vs 67.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,651 in Barnet and £36,249 in Hatfield. The median age is 41.5 in Barnet and 40.9 in Hatfield. Owner-occupancy is 58.5% in Barnet versus 56.6% in Hatfield. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Barnet and 59.6% in Hatfield.
| Indicator | Barnet | Hatfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 388,143 | 41,561 |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 40.9 |
| Median Household Income | £36,651 | £36,249 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 59.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.5% | 56.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 44.3% | 37.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnet and Hatfield?
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