Kingston upon Thames Area Guide (Based on Actual 2023 Data)

What’s it like to live in Kingston upon Thames?

Living in the borough of Kingston upon Thames can offer a suburban lifestyle with easy access to London’s centre. Although it’s located on the outskirts of London (some even regard the area as part of Surrey), housing costs can be relatively high, with average house prices slightly above London’s average.

There are several large and well-known shopping destinations in the area, including the Bentall Centre, which features numerous high-street brands and department stores. Kingston town centre also has a range of independent and specialist shops, as well as a weekly market.

There are two theatres in the borough, the Rose Theatre and the Arthur Cotterell Theatre, both of which host a variety of performances throughout the year.

Kingston upon Thames is also home to a number of parks and open spaces, and with London’s two biggest parks – Bushy Park and Richmond Park – next door to the borough, there are plenty of nearby spaces for outdoor activities.

Transport links in the area are generally good, with frequent bus and train services connecting the borough to other parts of London and beyond. Kingston upon Thames is also conveniently located near the A3 and M25, providing easy access to other parts of the country by car.

The borough is home to a number of highly regarded schools, including independent and state schools, catering to children of all ages. Parents can choose from a range of options to find the best fit for their child, including primary, secondary, and sixth form education.

This guide provides an overview of important statistics about the borough and how it compares to other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Kingston upon Thames?

Properties in Kingston upon Thames on average cost £547,883.00, ranking the borough as the 22 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Kingston upon Thames is generally considered to be an expensive borough. It is one of the more affluent areas of London and has higher-than-average property prices and a higher cost of living compared to other parts of the city.

How much does it cost to rent in Kingston upon Thames?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,082 per month to rent which ranks 17 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,236 per month to rent which ranks 12 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,549 per month to rent which ranks 13 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,122 per month to rent which ranks 17 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £2,705 per month to rent which ranks 16 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Kingston upon Thames?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 69000 in total, ranking 32 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 35.2% of households are owned outright
• 33.7% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 11.7% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 11.7% of households are privately rented

Is Kingston upon Thames a good place to live?

Although determining whether an area is a good place to live is subjective, we can use data on personal wellbeing collected by the ONS through the Annual Population Survey as an indicator to compare boroughs:

• Kingston upon Thames ranks 5 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Kingston upon Thames ranks 5 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Kingston upon Thames ranks 11 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Kingston upon Thames ranks 5 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Kingston upon Thames and are they good?

In total Kingston upon Thames has 64 schools, which are broken down into:

• 36 state primary schools
• 11 state secondary schools
• 12 independent schools

There are a wide range of schools in the borough of Kingston upon Thames, catering to various age ranges and educational needs. There are several primary schools in the borough, including St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, St. Luke’s CofE Primary School, and Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School.

For secondary education, there are several high-performing schools in the area, including Tiffin School, a selective boys’ grammar school, and Tiffin Girls’ School, a selective girls’ grammar school. There are also several non-selective secondary schools, including Coombe Boys’ School, Coombe Girls’ School, and Richard Challoner School.

In addition, there are several private schools in the borough, including Kingston Grammar School, Marymount International School, and Surbiton High School. These schools often have a selective admissions process and offer a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.

For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.

Is Kingston upon Thames polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Kingston upon Thames ranks 7 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Kingston upon Thames ranks 7 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Kingston upon Thames ranks 6 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Kingston upon Thames?

The employment rate in Kingston upon Thames is 82.3% which ranks 7 of 32 boroughs in terms of highest employment rate.

Employment rate is important to know for those considering moving to the area, as it can provide an indication of the job market and economic opportunities available in the borough.

Is Kingston upon Thames a wealthy area?

The average income in Kingston upon Thames is £56,500 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 12 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Kingston upon Thames is generally considered a wealthy area. It is known for its affluent residential neighbourhoods, upscale shops and restaurants, and high-end housing market.

Is Kingston upon Thames a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Kingston upon Thames has a mix of cultures and religions. According to the ONS:

• 41.9% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 11.0% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 6.1% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 2.2% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Kingston upon Thames?

Kingston upon Thames is 37.3 km2, making it the 18th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 186,434 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 31 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 5,003, ranking it 23 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Kingston upon Thames safe?

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:

• 10,930 total reported crimes and 58.63 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 15 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 431 total reported burglaries and 2.31 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 5 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 738 total reported cases of criminal damage and 3.96 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 10 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 717 total reported drug related crimes and 3.85 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 31 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 227 total reported robberies and 1.22 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 3 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 280 total reported sexual offences and 1.50 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 20 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 5,385 total reported thefts and 28.88 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 16 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 2,989 total reported violent crimes and 16.03 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Kingston upon Thames as 10 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Kingston upon Thames have?

There are no underground or overground services that extend to Kingston upon Thames, but the borough is connected to London via rail and bus services

Kingston Station is the main railway station in the borough, offering services to destinations such as London Waterloo, Hampton Court, Shepperton, and Wimbledon. Other railway stations in the borough include New Malden, Malden Manor, Tolworth, Chessington North, Chessington South, Berrylands and Surbiton, which are also on the South Western Railway network.

Moreover, the borough has an extensive network of bus routes, connecting the area to surrounding areas, as well as to central London. Some of the key bus routes in the borough include the 85, 111, 131, 213, 265, and K1. The K2 and K4 are local routes that run only within Kingston.

What places are in Kingston upon Thames?

There are several distinct areas in the borough of Kingston upon Thames, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:

• Kingston town centre – The bustling heart of the borough, with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and attractions.
• Surbiton – A leafy suburb popular for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, located just a short distance from Kingston town centre.
• Norbiton – A residential area located to the north of Kingston town centre, known for its green spaces and good transport links.
• New Malden – A diverse neighbourhood with a large Korean community, offering a range of shops and restaurants.
• Tolworth – A mix of residential and commercial areas, with good transport links to central London.
• Chessington – A suburban area located to the south of the borough, home to Chessington World of Adventures theme park.
• Ham – A picturesque area located on the banks of the River Thames, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Canbury – A quiet residential area located to the east of Kingston town centre, popular for its river walks and green spaces.
• Coombe – A wealthy residential area known for its large mansions and beautiful gardens.

What is Kingston upon Thames famous for?

Kingston upon Thames isn’t as visited as some of the centrally located boroughs in London, but it is known for several things, such as:

1. Kingston Market – A vibrant street market located in the town centre, selling a range of goods from food to clothing.
2. The Rose Theatre – A modern theatre located in the town centre, known for its productions of classic and contemporary plays.
3. Kingston University – A large and well-regarded university, attracting students from around the world.
4. Kingston Bridge – A historic bridge spanning the River Thames, dating back to the 1820s.
5. Canbury Gardens – A peaceful and picturesque park located on the banks of the River Thames.
6. Chessington World of Adventures – A theme park with over 40 rides and attractions including roller coasters, animal exhibits, and live shows.
7. Bentalls Centre – A large shopping centre in the town centre, offering a wide range of shops and restaurants.
8. Kingston Rowing Club – A successful rowing club, producing Olympic and World Champions.
9. Coronation Stone – A historic stone located in Kingston town centre, marking the spot where Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned.
10. The Kingston Regatta – A popular annual rowing regatta held on the River Thames, attracting rowers from around the world.

What boroughs are next to Kingston upon Thames?

Kingston upon Thames is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames is to the north
• The London Borough of Wandsworth is to the north
• The London Borough of Merton is to the east
• The London Borough of Sutton is to the southeast

The English county of Surrey is to the South of the borough.