Berkhamsted vs Hemel Hempstead
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Hemel Hempstead is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 62% lower. Hemel Hempstead has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hemel Hempstead edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Berkhamsted
£761,843
Hemel Hempstead
£471,237
Crime Rate
Berkhamsted
69.0
Hemel Hempstead
68.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Berkhamsted
62.5%
Hemel Hempstead
96.4%
Avg Download Speed
Berkhamsted
302.7
Hemel Hempstead
443
EPC Rating
Berkhamsted
71.9
Hemel Hempstead
70.7
Median Income
Berkhamsted
£34,575
Hemel Hempstead
£37,232
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Berkhamsted commands an average of £761,843, compared with £471,237 in Hemel Hempstead – a difference of 62%. The most affordable entry point in Berkhamsted is a flat at £369,950, while in Hemel Hempstead it is a flat at £241,157.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 58% pricier in Berkhamsted (£1,208,732 vs £766,856).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Hemel Hempstead prices grew faster — 29% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandHemel Hempstead has a crime rate of 68.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Berkhamsted at 69 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Berkhamsted is violent-crime, while in Hemel Hempstead 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 Hemel Hempstead, where 96.4% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 62.5% in Berkhamsted. There are 8 schools in Berkhamsted and 37 in Hemel Hempstead.
Berkhamsted School Inspection Breakdown
62.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hemel Hempstead School Inspection Breakdown
96.4% of 37 schools (31 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Berkhamsted | Hemel Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 37 |
| Primary | 7 | 31 |
| Secondary | 1 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 62.5% | 96.4% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 443.0 Mbps in Hemel Hempstead and 302.7 Mbps in Berkhamsted. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Berkhamsted and 96.6% in Hemel Hempstead. Gigabit availability stands at 53.7% in Berkhamsted and 85.7% in Hemel Hempstead.
Hemel Hempstead is the faster of the two by 46% on average download speed (443 vs 303 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Berkhamsted leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.9 (C), while Hemel Hempstead averages 70.7 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,145 in Berkhamsted and £1,223 in Hemel Hempstead. 69.3% of homes in Berkhamsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.9% in Hemel Hempstead.
Berkhamsted has more energy-efficient housing — 69.3% reach band C or above, vs 66.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,231.5 in Hemel Hempstead and £34,574.7 in Berkhamsted. The median age is 42.8 in Berkhamsted and 42.5 in Hemel Hempstead. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Berkhamsted versus 67.4% in Hemel Hempstead. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Berkhamsted and 62.6% in Hemel Hempstead.
| Indicator | Berkhamsted | Hemel Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,236 | 95,995 |
| Median Age | 42.8 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £34,574.7 | £37,231.5 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 62.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 67.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 45.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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