Key differences
Crime rate /1k: Merton (61) is ahead of Kingston upon Thames (95)
Median price: Kingston upon Thames (£473k) is ahead of Merton (£512k)
Safety score: Merton (79/100) is ahead of Kingston upon Thames (74/100)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Kingston upon Thames and Merton are closely matched across the key liveability metrics. Kingston upon Thames is more affordable at £473k median vs £512k.
The areas are closely matched — the decision comes down to specific streets and personal priorities.
Best for
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames suits first-time buyers and value-focused buyers on tighter budgets.
Best for
Merton
Merton suits buyers drawn to the specific character and amenities of this area.
Kingston upon Thames vs Merton: what the data says
Overall, Merton scores higher on liveability (63/100 vs 64/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Kingston upon Thames is more affordable — median price £473k vs £512k in Merton, a difference of around 8%. Over the past year prices changed +1.3% in Kingston upon Thames and +1.5% in Merton.
Merton has a lower crime rate (61 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 95 in Kingston upon Thames). 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 34/100).
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