Elsenham vs Harlow
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Harlow is about 23% cheaper on average. Elsenham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Elsenham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Elsenham
£480,546
Harlow
£390,584
Crime Rate
Elsenham
52.4
Harlow
91.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Elsenham
100.0%
Harlow
92.9%
Avg Download Speed
Elsenham
450.6
Harlow
373.1
EPC Rating
Elsenham
72.4
Harlow
72.4
Median Income
Elsenham
£37,261
Harlow
£35,386
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Harlow is £390,584, which is 23% less than Elsenham at £480,546. The most affordable entry point in Elsenham is a flat at £218,686, while in Harlow it is a flat at £205,220.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 7% pricier in Elsenham (£218,686 vs £205,220).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Elsenham prices grew faster — 20% vs 1%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 52.4 offences per 1,000 people, Elsenham is the safer of the two – 75% lower than Harlow's 91.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Elsenham is violent-crime, while in Harlow 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 EnglandElsenham has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 92.9% in Harlow. Elsenham has 1 schools in total, while Harlow has 37.
Elsenham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Harlow School Inspection Breakdown
92.9% of 37 schools (30 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Elsenham | Harlow |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 37 |
| Primary | 1 | 30 |
| Secondary | 0 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 92.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Elsenham offers faster average downloads at 450.6 Mbps, compared to 373.1 Mbps in Harlow. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.8% of premises in Elsenham and 88.9% in Harlow. Gigabit availability stands at 88.6% in Elsenham and 67.4% in Harlow.
Elsenham is the faster of the two by 21% on average download speed (451 vs 373 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Elsenham are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 72.4 (band C) versus 72.4 (band C) in Harlow. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,230 in Elsenham and £1,056 in Harlow. 68% of homes in Elsenham have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.8% in Harlow.
Harlow has more energy-efficient housing — 71.8% reach band C or above, vs 68% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £37,260.7 in Elsenham and £35,386 in Harlow. The median age is 44 in Elsenham and 41.5 in Harlow. Employment rates stand at 61.8% in Elsenham and 63% in Harlow. Owner-occupancy is 69.8% in Elsenham versus 61.5% in Harlow.
| Indicator | Elsenham | Harlow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,414 | 93,204 |
| Median Age | 44 | 41.5 |
| Median Household Income | £37,260.7 | £35,386 |
| Employment Rate | 61.8% | 63% |
| Owner Occupied | 69.8% | 61.5% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.9% | 31.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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