Amersham vs Chesham: which place suits you better?
A side-by-side look at Amersham and Chesham, from housing costs and rail access to schools and their shared Chilterns setting.
Amersham place profile · Chesham place profile
Key differences between Amersham and Chesham
- Typical sold price
- Amersham: £652k · Chesham: £415k · £237k difference
- Primary schools
- Amersham: 7 · Chesham: 4
Living in Amersham vs Chesham: at a glance
Chesham is substantially less expensive overall, with a typical sold price of £415k compared with £652k in Amersham. Both places have strong school performance and lie on the edge of the Chilterns National Landscape. Amersham has National Rail and Metropolitan line access in the town itself, while Chesham has the Metropolitan line and no rail station in the town itself.
Local character and setting
Amersham
Amersham has two distinct parts. Old Amersham has a medieval high street and historic buildings, while Amersham-on-the-Hill includes 1930s architecture such as Chiltern Parade, giving the newer centre a recognisable Metroland character.
Wider setting: Amersham lies on the edge of the Chilterns National Landscape.
Sources: About Amersham · Natural EnglandChesham
Chesham’s High Street and Market Square form the centre, with a mix of independent shops and familiar high-street names.
Wider setting: Chesham lies on the edge of the Chilterns National Landscape.
Sources: Shopping - Visit Chesham and villages - official website · Natural EnglandWhich place may suit your priorities?
Amersham
- National Rail and Metropolitan line access
- Two distinct centres: medieval Old Amersham and 1930s Amersham-on-the-Hill
Chesham
- Lower typical house prices
- Metropolitan line access from Chesham
House prices in Amersham and Chesham
| Measure | Amersham | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sold price £237k difference | £652k · 756 sales | £415k · 775 sales |
| Detached homes £300k difference | £1.05m · 239 sales | £750k · 125 sales |
| Semi-detached homes £232k difference | £715k · 176 sales | £483k · 222 sales |
| Terraced homes £119k difference | £513k · 155 sales | £394k · 242 sales |
| Flats £110k difference | £340k · 186 sales | £230k · 186 sales |
Commuting from Amersham and Chesham
| Measure | Amersham | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| National Rail access | Amersham → King's Cross St Pancras station · about 50 min by train. | There isn't a National Rail station in the town itself. Amersham station is about 4.6 km from the town centre. |
| Train times are station-to-station and do not include travel to the station or onward travel. Check current timetables and changes. | ||
| London Underground | Metropolitan line: Amersham Underground Station (TfL) | Metropolitan line: Chesham Underground Station (TfL) |
| TfL stop and line records; this is not a journey-time estimate. | ||
Schools in Amersham and Chesham
| Measure | Amersham | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| School quality | Strong school performance | Strong school performance |
| Primary schools 7 vs 4 in the local count | 7 rated schools included for this area | 4 rated schools included for this area |
| These counts cover rated schools linked to the local area used by Homestead. Nearby schools may also serve the area, and the figures do not represent catchments or admissions. | ||
| Secondary schools | 2 rated schools included for this area | 2 rated schools included for this area |
Everyday life and green space
| Measure | Amersham | Chesham |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Old Amersham Market | Local markets · Local Produce Market |
The trade-off between Amersham and Chesham
Chesham is markedly less expensive, while Amersham combines National Rail and Metropolitan line access with a more clearly defined split between its historic and 20th-century centres. Both have strong school performance and share a Chilterns-edge setting, so those are similarities rather than major points of difference.