South London has emerged as the capital’s most sought-after area for both buyers and renters in 2025, according to a new ranking by Compare My Move.
Wandsworth tops the list of the best places to live this year, ahead of Tower Hamlets and Brent. Seven of the top 10 boroughs are located south of the Thames, a sign of shifting demand away from the traditionally expensive districts north of the river.
Wandsworth leads the way with average monthly rents of £2,526 and house prices approaching £691,000. Tower Hamlets, home to the Isle of Dogs – the single most popular postcode for movers – comes second, with average rents of £2,370 and house prices of £491,000.
SOUTH OF THE RIVER
The appeal of south London is not confined to its more affluent areas. Croydon, Lewisham and Bromley all rank in the top 10, offering house prices below £500,000 and rents starting at £1,534 per month. Southwark and Lambeth also feature prominently, balancing proximity to central London with relative affordability.
AFFORDABILITY FACTOR
Dave Sayce, co-founder and managing director of Compare My Move, said the findings underline how cost concerns are driving choices.
He said: “Only three of the top 10 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 research suggests that while prestige postcodes in the north and west are losing traction with mid-market movers, south London continues to cement its reputation as the sweet spot for those seeking a balance of cost and convenience.
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 |
