About Islington, Greater London

Islington, specifically the N5 area of Highbury, offers a distinctive blend of urban living and green space. One of its primary advantages is the presence of Highbury Fields, the largest open space in the borough, which provides residents with tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a welcome area for exercise and relaxation. The area maintains a unique character, bolstered by a strong local identity and a selection of independent amenities that cater to a variety of lifestyles. However, prospective residents should consider that the area is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Emirates Stadium. While this is a significant draw for sports fans, it brings notable drawbacks for those seeking a quiet environment, as local streets and amenities become exceptionally busy and congested during match days. Furthermore, while the area benefits from several schools, such as Highbury Fields School and City of London Academy Highbury Grove, educational options and school performance have historically fluctuated, so families should research the current status of local institutions thoroughly. Overall, it is a vibrant, well-connected part of North London, though those sensitive to crowd surges and the energetic atmosphere of a major sports hub may find the match-day activity intrusive.

Property Prices in Islington, Greater London

Median sale prices by property type, based on HM Land Registry transactions.

The typical property in Islington, Greater London now sells for £635,000, down 8.6% from last year.

Flat £591,551 3.1% annual growth · 361 sales

Terraced £1,883,043 4.8% annual growth · 69 sales

Median Price Trend

Median sale price by year, compared to Greater London and national figures.

Annual Price Growth

3.0% N5

2.8% Greater London

3.3% National

Property values in Islington, Greater London are growing steadily, 0.2% above the Greater London area average.

Values are growing slightly faster than the Greater London average, indicating a healthy local market.

Market Activity (YoY)

+5.5% N5

-5.3% Greater London

+8.5% National

Islington, Greater London is a hot market with 10.8% more activity than the Greater London area average.

Activity levels are slightly higher than the Greater London average, indicating steady local demand.

Crime & Safety

Recorded incidents per 1,000 households, compared to county and national averages.

Other

83% below the national average.

Property Crime

42% below the national average.

Public Order

27% below the national average.

Theft

35% below the national average.

Violent Crime

70% below the national average.

Getting Around

Islington, particularly the N5 area, offers excellent public transport connectivity, making it a highly convenient base for commuters. Residents benefit from multiple transport options, including the London Underground’s Piccadilly line via Arsenal station and the London Overground network, which serves Canonbury and Highbury & Islington stations with frequent services to destinations like Clapham Junction and across East London. Additionally, Drayton Park station provides National Rail links, offering a direct route towards Moorgate in the City. However, there are notable drawbacks to consider regarding accessibility and crowd management. Arsenal station lacks lifts or escalators, relying on sloping passageways and stairs, which presents significant accessibility challenges. Furthermore, transport in the area is heavily influenced by events at the nearby Emirates Stadium. For instance, Drayton Park station closes before and after weekend matches due to safety concerns regarding platform capacity. Similarly, the local transport infrastructure experiences extreme crowding on match days, which can disrupt regular commuting patterns. While the area is exceptionally well-connected for daily travel, those who require step-free access or wish to avoid the disruption associated with large-scale football crowds may find certain aspects of the local transport network limiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are average house prices in Islington, Greater London?

The median price across the most common property types is around £591,551, based on HM Land Registry data.

Is Islington, Greater London a safe place to live?

Property crime here runs 42% below the national average, based on police.uk data. See the crime section above for the full breakdown by category.

Are property prices in Islington, Greater London rising?

Prices have grown 3.0% annually here, compared to 3.3% nationally.

Do I need the Meistreet app to see this data?

No, everything on this page is free to browse. The app adds saved areas, budget-based recommendations and a deeper report for Islington, Greater London.

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Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Crime data sourced from police.uk and updated monthly.

Islington, Greater London N5