AL5 or LU1?
Two neighbouring postcode districts compared on sold prices, energy, flood risk, crime and deprivation, all from the same official sources as every report on this site.
Figures gathered 17 September 2026.
- Homes sell for about 41% less in LU1 than in AL5.
- AL5 recorded fewer crimes in the same period, though busier places always record more.
- AL5 is the less deprived of the two on the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
- The most recent EPC we hold is C in AL5 and D in LU1.
|
AL5
St Albans
|
LU1
Luton
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Median home sale nearby | £450,000
from 85 sales |
£267,500
from 138 sales |
| Average sold price | £382,500 | £138,105 |
| Area price growth (YoY) | +2.3% (St Albans) | +0.5% (Luton) |
| Dwelling type | Top-floor flat | End-terrace house |
| Floor area | 43 m² | 78 m² |
| Built | 1900–1929 | 1950–1966 |
| Energy rating | C | D |
| Heating cost (EPC est.) | £310/yr | £1124/yr |
| Schools likely to admit |
4 likely, 2 borderline of 8 with a figure
Harpenden Academy, St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School, St Dominic Catholic Primary School, Crabtree Junior School |
3 likely of 8 with a figure
Hillborough Junior School, Hillborough Infant and Nursery School, Farley Junior Academy |
| Flood zone | Zone 1 (low probability) | Zone 1 (low probability) |
| Crime nearby | 121 recorded | 849 recorded |
| Deprivation decile | 9 of 10 | 2 of 10 |
Common questions
Is AL5 or LU1 cheaper?
LU1 is the cheaper of the two. Homes around AL5 sell for about £450,000 and around LU1 for about £267,500, from HM Land Registry records of what actually changed hands.
Which has less crime, AL5 or LU1?
AL5 recorded fewer crimes in the same period (121 in AL5 against 849 in LU1, Police.uk). Busier places record more, so read this alongside how built-up each area is rather than on its own.
Is AL5 or LU1 the more affluent area?
On the Index of Multiple Deprivation, AL5 sits in decile 9 of 10 and LU1 in decile 2, where 10 is the least deprived.
Should I buy in AL5 or LU1?
That depends on what you need, and no dataset answers it. What this page gives you is the evidence side by side: what homes actually sell for, the energy ratings, the flood zone, recorded crime and deprivation, each traced to the body that published it.
A quick side-by-side snapshot only. Open each property's full report for the complete picture.