Berkhamsted vs Chesham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Chesham is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 50% lower. Chesham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Chesham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Berkhamsted
£761,843
Chesham
£509,520
Crime Rate
Berkhamsted
69.0
Chesham
59.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Berkhamsted
62.5%
Chesham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Berkhamsted
302.7
Chesham
395.3
EPC Rating
Berkhamsted
71.9
Chesham
70.8
Median Income
Berkhamsted
£34,575
Chesham
£34,004
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Berkhamsted commands an average of £761,843, compared with £509,520 in Chesham – a difference of 50%. The most affordable entry point in Berkhamsted is a flat at £369,950, while in Chesham it is a flat at £242,071.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 53% pricier in Berkhamsted (£637,990 vs £417,972).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Chesham prices grew faster — 28% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandChesham has a crime rate of 59.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 16% lower than Berkhamsted at 69 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Berkhamsted is violent-crime, while in Chesham 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 East of EnglandFamilies may prefer Chesham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 62.5% in Berkhamsted. There are 8 schools in Berkhamsted and 8 in Chesham.
Berkhamsted School Inspection Breakdown
62.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Chesham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 8 schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Berkhamsted | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 8 |
| Primary | 7 | 6 |
| Secondary | 1 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 62.5% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 395.3 Mbps in Chesham and 302.7 Mbps in Berkhamsted. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Berkhamsted and 94.8% in Chesham. Gigabit availability stands at 53.7% in Berkhamsted and 75.5% in Chesham.
Chesham is the faster of the two by 31% on average download speed (395 vs 303 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Berkhamsted, scoring 71.9 on average (band C) compared to 70.8 (band C) in Chesham. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,145 in Berkhamsted and £1,176 in Chesham. 69.3% of homes in Berkhamsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 68.4% in Chesham.
Berkhamsted has more energy-efficient housing — 69.3% reach band C or above, vs 68.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,574.7 in Berkhamsted and £34,004 in Chesham. The median age is 42.8 in Berkhamsted and 43 in Chesham. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Berkhamsted and 62% in Chesham. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Berkhamsted versus 67% in Chesham. Berkhamsted has a population of 21,236 and Chesham has 23,691.
| Indicator | Berkhamsted | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,236 | 23,691 |
| Median Age | 42.8 | 43 |
| Median Household Income | £34,574.7 | £34,004 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 62% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 67% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 39.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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