Key differences
Median price: Merton (£539k) is ahead of Kensington and Chelsea (£1225k)
Crime rate /1k: Merton (23) is ahead of Kensington and Chelsea (68)
Transport: Kensington and Chelsea (59/100) is ahead of Merton (39/100)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Kensington and Chelsea has a stronger transport score — 59/100 vs 39/100. Merton is more affordable at £539k median vs £1225k.
Kensington and Chelsea scores higher on transport, but Merton is the more affordable option.
Best for
Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea is the better pick for commuters prioritising fast central London access.
Best for
Merton
Merton suits families and those prioritising a low-crime neighbourhood.
Kensington and Chelsea vs Merton: what the data says
Overall, Kensington and Chelsea scores higher on liveability (74/100 vs 65/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Merton is more affordable — median price £539k vs £1225k in Kensington and Chelsea, a difference of around 56%. Over the past year prices changed +13.3% in Kensington and Chelsea and +2.0% in Merton.
Merton has a lower crime rate (23 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 68 in Kensington and Chelsea). Central London boroughs typically show higher per-resident figures due to large daytime populations.
Kensington and Chelsea edges ahead on public transport connectivity (score 59/100 vs 39/100).
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