Berkhamsted vs Harpenden
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Berkhamsted is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 22% lower. Harpenden has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Harpenden edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Berkhamsted
£761,843
Harpenden
£979,884
Crime Rate
Berkhamsted
69.0
Harpenden
64.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Berkhamsted
62.5%
Harpenden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Berkhamsted
302.7
Harpenden
449.6
EPC Rating
Berkhamsted
71.9
Harpenden
72.1
Median Income
Berkhamsted
£34,575
Harpenden
£38,821
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Harpenden commands an average of £979,884, compared with £761,843 in Berkhamsted – a difference of 22%. The most affordable entry point in Berkhamsted is a flat at £369,950, while in Harpenden it is a flat at £401,751.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Harpenden (£1,475,929 vs £1,208,732).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harpenden prices grew faster — 31% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandHarpenden has a crime rate of 64.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 7% lower than Berkhamsted at 69 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Berkhamsted is violent-crime, while in Harpenden 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 Harpenden, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 62.5% in Berkhamsted. There are 8 schools in Berkhamsted and 17 in Harpenden.
Berkhamsted School Inspection Breakdown
62.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Harpenden School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Berkhamsted | Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 17 |
| Primary | 7 | 13 |
| Secondary | 1 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 62.5% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 449.6 Mbps in Harpenden and 302.7 Mbps in Berkhamsted. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Berkhamsted and 97.3% in Harpenden. Gigabit availability stands at 53.7% in Berkhamsted and 86.1% in Harpenden.
Harpenden is the faster of the two by 49% on average download speed (450 vs 303 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Harpenden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.1 (C), while Berkhamsted averages 71.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,145 in Berkhamsted and £1,209 in Harpenden. 69.3% of homes in Berkhamsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.1% in Harpenden.
Berkhamsted has more energy-efficient housing — 69.3% reach band C or above, vs 67.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,821 in Harpenden and £34,574.7 in Berkhamsted. The median age is 42.8 in Berkhamsted and 42.5 in Harpenden. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Berkhamsted versus 71.1% in Harpenden. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Berkhamsted and 63.3% in Harpenden.
| Indicator | Berkhamsted | Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,236 | 30,964 |
| Median Age | 42.8 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £34,574.7 | £38,821 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 71.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 43.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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