Londoners in outer boroughs are getting significantly more space for their money, according to new research from Furl.
The company’s Living Space Premium Index highlights a growing divide across the capital, with areas such as Enfield, Bromley and Havering offering the best value, while inner boroughs including Tower Hamlets, Westminster and Camden rank among the most expensive for space.
The index combines earnings data from the Office for National Statistics with rental and sales listings to assess how much living space residents can access relative to cost.
A higher score reflects a greater premium on space, meaning residents are paying more while getting less in return.
BEST PERFORMING
Enfield ranked as the best-performing borough overall, offering the lowest cost per square foot alongside relatively larger homes and stronger affordability metrics.
Other outer London boroughs including Croydon, Kingston upon Thames and Bexley also performed strongly, reflecting a consistent trend of better value beyond central areas.
Inner London boroughs dominate the list where space comes at the highest premium. Tower Hamlets, Islington and Westminster top the ranking, combining high property prices with smaller average living space.
The findings also show stark differences in what income can buy or rent. Residents in Enfield and Croydon can access significantly more square footage relative to earnings, while those in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster get the least.
The research highlights the continued pressure on space in central London, where demand remains high but affordability constraints limit what buyers and renters can access.
It also reflects broader housing market dynamics, with many households trading space for location, while others move further out to secure larger homes.
MORE FOR LESS
David Norman, Founder at Furl, says: “London really highlights how uneven access to space has become.
“It’s not just that housing is expensive, it’s that in some boroughs people are paying significantly more for far less room.
“At Furl, we design furniture to help people make the most of the space they have, and this research shows just how important that is becoming, particularly in the most space-constrained parts of the capital.”
