Barnet vs Islington
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Barnet is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 25% lower. Barnet has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnet edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnet
£696,626
Islington
£924,225
Crime Rate
Barnet
66.8
Islington
133.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnet
98.0%
Islington
97.6%
Avg Download Speed
Barnet
300.2
Islington
465.6
EPC Rating
Barnet
71.4
Islington
71.4
Median Income
Barnet
£36,651
Islington
£41,317
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in LondonProperty in Islington commands an average of £924,225, compared with £696,626 in Barnet – a difference of 25%. The most affordable entry point in Barnet is a flat at £371,853, while in Islington it is a flat at £678,251.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 65% pricier in Islington (£2,216,309 vs £776,156).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnet prices grew faster — 16% vs 1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in LondonBarnet has a crime rate of 66.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 100% lower than Islington at 133.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Barnet is violent-crime, while in Islington 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 Barnet, where 98% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 97.6% in Islington. There are 117 schools in Barnet and 49 in Islington.
Barnet School Inspection Breakdown
98% of 117 schools (90 primary, 27 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Islington School Inspection Breakdown
97.6% of 49 schools (39 primary, 10 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnet | Islington |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 117 | 49 |
| Primary | 90 | 39 |
| Secondary | 27 | 10 |
| % Top two bands | 98% | 97.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 465.6 Mbps in Islington and 300.2 Mbps in Barnet. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Barnet and 98.5% in Islington. Gigabit availability stands at 48.5% in Barnet and 91.6% in Islington.
Islington is the faster of the two by 55% on average download speed (466 vs 300 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Barnet leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.4 (C), while Islington averages 71.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,118 in Barnet and £886 in Islington. 67.7% of homes in Barnet have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.3% in Islington.
Islington has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 67.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £41,317.3 in Islington and £36,651 in Barnet. The median age is 41.5 in Barnet and 36.7 in Islington. Owner-occupancy is 58.5% in Barnet versus 27% in Islington. Employment rates stand at 60.7% in Barnet and 61.4% in Islington.
| Indicator | Barnet | Islington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 388,143 | 216,751 |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 36.7 |
| Median Household Income | £36,651 | £41,317.3 |
| Employment Rate | 60.7% | 61.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.5% | 27% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 44.3% | 55.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Barnet and Islington?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Barnet or Islington?
Is Barnet or Islington safer?
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