Key differences
Median price: Tower Hamlets (£475k) is ahead of Hackney (£580k)
Transport: Tower Hamlets (64/100) is ahead of Hackney (52/100)
Crime rate /1k: Tower Hamlets (121) is ahead of Hackney (127)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Tower Hamlets has a stronger transport score — 64/100 vs 52/100. Tower Hamlets is more affordable at £475k median vs £580k.
The main gap is transport: Tower Hamlets scores 12 points higher.
Best for
Hackney
Hackney suits buyers drawn to the specific character and amenities of this area.
Best for
Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets is the better pick for commuters prioritising fast central London access.
Hackney vs Tower Hamlets: what the data says
Overall, Tower Hamlets scores higher on liveability (66/100 vs 70/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Tower Hamlets is more affordable — median price £475k vs £580k in Hackney, a difference of around 18%. Over the past year prices changed +1.1% in Hackney and -0.7% in Tower Hamlets.
Tower Hamlets has a lower crime rate (121 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 127 in Hackney). Central London boroughs typically show higher per-resident figures due to large daytime populations.
Tower Hamlets edges ahead on public transport connectivity (score 64/100 vs 52/100).
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