Town comparison
Bexley vs Tower Hamlets
Which is better to live in? 8.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bexley wins on house prices with a 10% gap. Bexley has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Tower Hamlets edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bexley
£504,078
Tower Hamlets
£560,520
Crime Rate
Bexley
61.2
Tower Hamlets
106.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bexley
90.9%
Tower Hamlets
97.2%
Avg Download Speed
Bexley
484.3
Tower Hamlets
404.6
EPC Rating
Bexley
69.3
Tower Hamlets
76.2
Median Income
Bexley
£38,478
Tower Hamlets
£40,204
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in LondonProperty in Tower Hamlets commands an average of £560,520, compared with £504,078 in Bexley – a difference of 10%. The most affordable entry point in Bexley is a flat at £267,125, while in Tower Hamlets it is a flat at £528,183.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 49% pricier in Tower Hamlets (£528,183 vs £267,125).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bexley prices grew faster — 30% vs 12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in LondonResidents of Bexley experience less crime overall, with a rate of 61.2 per 1,000 versus 106.4 per 1,000 in Tower Hamlets. The most common crime category in Bexley is violent-crime, while in Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets, where 97.2% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90.9% in Bexley. There are 76 schools in Bexley and 83 in Tower Hamlets.
Bexley School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 76 schools (60 primary, 16 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Tower Hamlets School Inspection Breakdown
97.2% of 83 schools (65 primary, 18 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bexley | Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 76 | 83 |
| Primary | 60 | 65 |
| Secondary | 16 | 18 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 97.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 484.3 Mbps in Bexley and 404.6 Mbps in Tower Hamlets. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.9% of premises in Bexley and 94.4% in Tower Hamlets. Gigabit availability stands at 96.4% in Bexley and 78% in Tower Hamlets.
Bexley is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (484 vs 405 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Tower Hamlets, scoring 76.2 on average (band C) compared to 69.3 (band C) in Bexley. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,052 in Bexley and £699 in Tower Hamlets. 58.2% of homes in Bexley have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 86.2% in Tower Hamlets.
Tower Hamlets has more energy-efficient housing — 86.2% reach band C or above, vs 58.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £40,204 in Tower Hamlets and £38,478 in Bexley. The median age is 41.6 in Bexley and 32.6 in Tower Hamlets. Employment rates stand at 60.2% in Bexley and 61.4% in Tower Hamlets. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Bexley versus 23.1% in Tower Hamlets. Bexley has a population of 245,892 and Tower Hamlets has 310,303.
| Indicator | Bexley | Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,892 | 310,303 |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 32.6 |
| Median Household Income | £38,478 | £40,204 |
| Employment Rate | 60.2% | 61.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 23.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.6% | 50.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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