Key differences
Crime rate /1k: Southwark (59) is ahead of Islington (105)
Median price: Southwark (£518k) is ahead of Islington (£658k)
Safety score: Southwark (80/100) is ahead of Islington (75/100)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Southwark has a stronger safety score — 80/100 vs 75/100. Southwark is more affordable at £518k median vs £658k.
The areas are closely matched — the decision comes down to specific streets and personal priorities.
Best for
Islington
Islington suits buyers drawn to the specific character and amenities of this area.
Best for
Southwark
Southwark suits families and those prioritising a low-crime neighbourhood.
Islington vs Southwark: what the data says
Overall, Islington scores higher on liveability (72/100 vs 69/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Southwark is more affordable — median price £518k vs £658k in Islington, a difference of around 21%. Over the past year prices changed +12.0% in Islington and +3.5% in Southwark.
Southwark has a lower crime rate (59 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 105 in Islington). Central London boroughs typically show higher per-resident figures due to large daytime populations.
Islington edges ahead on public transport connectivity (score 58/100 vs 53/100).
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