South London is proving the most sought-after part of the capital for homebuyers and renters in 2025, according to a new ranking by Compare My Move.
The research names Wandsworth as the top borough to live in this year, followed by Tower Hamlets and Brent.
Notably, seven of the top ten boroughs are located south of the Thames, highlighting a shift in preference away from traditionally expensive northern areas.
Wandsworth leads on both rental and sales fronts, with average rents of £2,526 per month and house prices approaching £691,000. Tower Hamlets, including the Isle of Dogs – the single most popular postcode for movers – is second, with average rents of £2,370 and house prices of £491,000.
SOUTH OF THE RIVER
South London’s appeal extends to more affordable options: Croydon, Lewisham, and Bromley all rank in the top ten, offering average house prices under £500,000 and rents ranging from £1,534 to £1,793 per month.
Southwark and Lambeth also feature prominently, reflecting a growing appetite for areas that balance centrality with relative affordability.
AFFORDABILITY FACTOR
Dave Sayce, Co-founder and Managing Director of Compare My Move, says the rankings reflected affordability concerns combined with proximity to central London.
He adds: “Only three of the top ten places to live in London have an average house price higher than the city’s overall average.
“This shows that in 2025, affordability is the main factor driving where people choose to move. Movers still want to be close to central London, but without the premium of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, or Hackney, which have largely fallen out of favour.”
The findings highlight the continued strength of South London boroughs as a sweet spot for buyers and renters seeking a balance between cost and convenience, while more expensive northern areas lose traction with mid-market movers.
Top 10 London boroughs to live in 2025
| Rank | Borough | Region | Avg Rent | Avg House Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wandsworth | South | £2,526 | £691,000 |
| 2 | Tower Hamlets | East | £2,370 | £491,000 |
| 3 | Brent | North West | £1,948 | £536,000 |
| 4 | Southwark | South | £2,347 | £582,000 |
| 5 | Croydon | South | £1,534 | £400,000 |
| 6 | Lambeth | South | £2,435 | £555,000 |
| 7 | Lewisham | South | £1,793 | £490,000 |
| 8 | Barnet | North | £1,886 | £598,000 |
| 9 | Greenwich | South | £1,880 | £462,000 |
| 10 | Bromley | South | £1,640 | £539,000 |
Average London rent: £2,253, average house price: £561,587.
