Bovingdon vs Harpenden
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bovingdon wins on house prices with a 39% gap. Harpenden has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bovingdon edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bovingdon
£600,951
Harpenden
£979,884
Crime Rate
Bovingdon
68.7
Harpenden
64.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bovingdon
100.0%
Harpenden
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bovingdon
425.5
Harpenden
449.6
EPC Rating
Bovingdon
70.5
Harpenden
72.1
Median Income
Bovingdon
£37,945
Harpenden
£38,821
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Harpenden commands an average of £979,884, compared with £600,951 in Bovingdon – a difference of 39%. The most affordable entry point in Bovingdon is a flat at £240,150, while in Harpenden it is a flat at £401,751.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 40% pricier in Harpenden (£401,751 vs £240,150).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harpenden prices grew faster — 31% vs 23%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandResidents of Harpenden experience less crime overall, with a rate of 64.2 per 1,000 versus 68.7 per 1,000 in Bovingdon. The most common crime category in Bovingdon 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 Bovingdon, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Harpenden. There are 1 schools in Bovingdon and 17 in Harpenden.
Bovingdon School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) 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 | Bovingdon | Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 17 |
| Primary | 1 | 13 |
| Secondary | 0 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 449.6 Mbps in Harpenden and 425.5 Mbps in Bovingdon. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.5% of premises in Bovingdon and 97.3% in Harpenden. Gigabit availability stands at 81.8% in Bovingdon and 86.1% in Harpenden.
Harpenden is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (450 vs 426 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Harpenden leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.1 (C), while Bovingdon averages 70.5 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,253 in Bovingdon and £1,209 in Harpenden. 64.7% of homes in Bovingdon have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 67.1% in Harpenden.
Harpenden has more energy-efficient housing — 67.1% reach band C or above, vs 64.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £38,821 in Harpenden and £37,944.7 in Bovingdon. The median age is 42.7 in Bovingdon and 42.5 in Harpenden. Owner-occupancy is 68.6% in Bovingdon versus 71.1% in Harpenden. Employment rates stand at 62.6% in Bovingdon and 63.3% in Harpenden.
| Indicator | Bovingdon | Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,313 | 30,964 |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 42.5 |
| Median Household Income | £37,944.7 | £38,821 |
| Employment Rate | 62.6% | 63.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 71.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 44.5% | 43.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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