Key differences
Crime rate /1k: Waltham Forest (24) is ahead of Southwark (59)
Transport: Southwark (53/100) is ahead of Waltham Forest (41/100)
Liveability: Southwark (69/100) is ahead of Waltham Forest (64/100)
Head-to-head comparison
The Verdict
Southwark has a stronger transport score — 53/100 vs 41/100. Prices are similar: £518k in Southwark vs £530k in Waltham Forest.
The main gap is transport: Southwark scores 13 points higher.
Best for
Southwark
Southwark is the better pick for commuters prioritising fast central London access.
Best for
Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest suits buyers drawn to the specific character and amenities of this area.
Southwark vs Waltham Forest: what the data says
Overall, Southwark scores higher on liveability (69/100 vs 64/100), reflecting a better combined picture across safety, transport, schools and environment.
Property in Southwark is more affordable — median price £518k vs £530k in Waltham Forest, a difference of around 2%. Over the past year prices changed +3.5% in Southwark and +39.5% in Waltham Forest.
Waltham Forest has a lower crime rate (24 incidents per 1,000 residents vs 59 in Southwark). Central London boroughs typically show higher per-resident figures due to large daytime populations.
Southwark edges ahead on public transport connectivity (score 53/100 vs 41/100).
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