Key differences
Crime rate /1k: Merton (61) is ahead of Barnet (82)
Median price: Barnet (£444k) is ahead of Merton (£512k)
Transport: Merton (37/100) is ahead of Barnet (31/100)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Merton has a stronger transport score — 37/100 vs 31/100. Barnet is more affordable at £444k median vs £512k.
Barnet is cheaper, but Merton scores higher on transport.
Best for
Barnet
Barnet suits first-time buyers and value-focused buyers on tighter budgets.
Best for
Merton
Merton is the better pick for commuters prioritising fast central London access.
Barnet vs Merton: what the data says
Overall, Merton scores higher on liveability (59/100 vs 64/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Barnet is more affordable — median price £444k vs £512k in Merton, a difference of around 13%. Over the past year prices changed +1.3% in Barnet and +1.5% in Merton.
Merton has a lower crime rate (61 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 82 in Barnet). Central London boroughs typically show higher per-resident figures due to large daytime populations.
Merton edges ahead on public transport connectivity (score 37/100 vs 31/100).
Top-rated postcodes
Frequently asked questions
Compare any two London postcodes
The interactive tool lets you compare any two specific postcodes — not just boroughs — with a full metric-by-metric breakdown.
Open postcode comparison tool →