Berkhamsted vs Princes Risborough
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Princes Risborough is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 31% lower. Princes Risborough has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Princes Risborough edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Berkhamsted
£761,843
Princes Risborough
£582,135
Crime Rate
Berkhamsted
69.0
Princes Risborough
59.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Berkhamsted
62.5%
Princes Risborough
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Berkhamsted
302.7
Princes Risborough
300.3
EPC Rating
Berkhamsted
71.9
Princes Risborough
70.5
Median Income
Berkhamsted
£34,575
Princes Risborough
£35,471
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandAt £582,135, Princes Risborough undercuts Berkhamsted (£761,843) by around 31% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Berkhamsted is a flat at £369,950, while in Princes Risborough it is a flat at £280,474.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 57% pricier in Berkhamsted (£770,718 vs £490,750).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Berkhamsted prices grew faster — 23% vs 17%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandPrinces Risborough has a crime rate of 59.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 17% lower than Berkhamsted at 69 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Berkhamsted is violent-crime, while in Princes Risborough 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 EnglandOf the 8 schools in Berkhamsted, 62.5% are in the top two inspection bands. In Princes Risborough, which has 3 schools, the figure is 100%.
Berkhamsted School Inspection Breakdown
62.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Princes Risborough School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Berkhamsted | Princes Risborough |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 3 |
| Primary | 7 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 62.5% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Berkhamsted averages 302.7 Mbps – ahead of Princes Risborough's 300.3 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Berkhamsted and 94.1% in Princes Risborough. Gigabit availability stands at 53.7% in Berkhamsted and 45.6% in Princes Risborough.
Berkhamsted is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (303 vs 300 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Berkhamsted leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 71.9 (C), while Princes Risborough averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,145 in Berkhamsted and £1,241 in Princes Risborough. 69.3% of homes in Berkhamsted have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 65.8% in Princes Risborough.
Berkhamsted has more energy-efficient housing — 69.3% reach band C or above, vs 65.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,471 in Princes Risborough and £34,574.7 in Berkhamsted. The median age is 42.8 in Berkhamsted and 43.4 in Princes Risborough. Owner-occupancy is 68.4% in Berkhamsted versus 70% in Princes Risborough. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Berkhamsted and 61.6% in Princes Risborough.
| Indicator | Berkhamsted | Princes Risborough |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,236 | 7,528 |
| Median Age | 42.8 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £34,574.7 | £35,471 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 61.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.4% | 70% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 41% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Berkhamsted and Princes Risborough?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Berkhamsted or Princes Risborough?
Is Berkhamsted or Princes Risborough safer?
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