Key differences
Transport: Waltham Forest (41/100) is ahead of Havering (29/100)
Median price: Havering (£449k) is ahead of Waltham Forest (£530k)
Liveability: Waltham Forest (64/100) is ahead of Havering (58/100)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Waltham Forest has a stronger transport score — 41/100 vs 29/100. Havering is more affordable at £449k median vs £530k.
Havering is cheaper, but Waltham Forest scores higher on transport.
Best for
Havering
Havering suits first-time buyers and value-focused buyers on tighter budgets.
Best for
Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest is the better pick for commuters prioritising fast central London access.
Havering vs Waltham Forest: what the data says
Overall, Waltham Forest scores higher on liveability (58/100 vs 64/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Havering is more affordable — median price £449k vs £530k in Waltham Forest, a difference of around 15%. Over the past year prices changed +2.3% in Havering and +39.5% in Waltham Forest.
Havering has a lower crime rate (23 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 24 in Waltham Forest). Central London boroughs typically show higher per-resident figures due to large daytime populations.
Waltham Forest edges ahead on public transport connectivity (score 41/100 vs 29/100).
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 →