Brent vs Tower Hamlets
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Tower Hamlets wins on house prices with a 21% gap. Brent has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Tower Hamlets edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brent
£681,000
Tower Hamlets
£560,520
Crime Rate
Brent
90.0
Tower Hamlets
106.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brent
97.1%
Tower Hamlets
97.2%
Avg Download Speed
Brent
402
Tower Hamlets
404.6
EPC Rating
Brent
72.8
Tower Hamlets
76.2
Median Income
Brent
£37,842
Tower Hamlets
£40,204
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in LondonProperty in Brent commands an average of £681,000, compared with £560,520 in Tower Hamlets – a difference of 21%. The most affordable entry point in Brent is a flat at £419,959, while in Tower Hamlets it is a flat at £528,183.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 25% pricier in Brent (£883,016 vs £708,608).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Brent prices grew faster — 19% vs 12%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in LondonResidents of Brent experience less crime overall, with a rate of 90 per 1,000 versus 106.4 per 1,000 in Tower Hamlets. The most common crime category in Brent 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 97.1% in Brent. There are 79 schools in Brent and 83 in Tower Hamlets.
Brent School Inspection Breakdown
97.1% of 79 schools (61 primary, 18 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 | Brent | Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 79 | 83 |
| Primary | 61 | 65 |
| Secondary | 18 | 18 |
| % Top two bands | 97.1% | 97.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 404.6 Mbps in Tower Hamlets and 402.0 Mbps in Brent. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.6% of premises in Brent and 94.4% in Tower Hamlets. Gigabit availability stands at 73.1% in Brent and 78% in Tower Hamlets.
Tower Hamlets is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (405 vs 402 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Tower Hamlets leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 76.2 (C), while Brent averages 72.8 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £873 in Brent and £699 in Tower Hamlets. 71.9% of homes in Brent 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 71.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £40,204 in Tower Hamlets and £37,842.3 in Brent. The median age is 38.1 in Brent and 32.6 in Tower Hamlets. Owner-occupancy is 38.9% in Brent versus 23.1% in Tower Hamlets. Employment rates stand at 60.4% in Brent and 61.4% in Tower Hamlets.
| Indicator | Brent | Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 340,866 | 310,303 |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.6 |
| Median Household Income | £37,842.3 | £40,204 |
| Employment Rate | 60.4% | 61.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 38.9% | 23.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 47.3% | 50.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Brent and Tower Hamlets?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Brent or Tower Hamlets?
Is Brent or Tower Hamlets safer?
Which has better schools, Brent or Tower Hamlets?
Which has faster broadband, Brent or Tower Hamlets?
Keep exploring