Putney vs Earlsfield
Choosing between Putney and Earlsfield usually comes down to rent versus lifestyle. Earlsfield is the cheaper of the two, with a one-bed averaging about £250/month less. Putney scores higher for transport, green space and nightlife. Beyond that, Earlsfield edges ahead on food. In short, Earlsfield offers better value — similar or better scores at a lower rent.
Choosing between Putney and Earlsfield
Putney and Earlsfield are both in Wandsworth, a couple of miles apart, and both attract young professionals who work in the West End or Westminster and want a calmer base than Clapham. The first thing to know is the price gap: Earlsfield is around two hundred and fifty pounds a month cheaper for a one-bed on our figures, and a bit more than that for a two-bed.
Putney's advantages are the river and space. Its embankment, rowing clubs and waterside pubs give it a focus Earlsfield lacks, Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common are to the south, and Richmond Park is a short ride away, so it scores higher for green space. It also has the District line at East Putney as well as its rail station, which gives it slightly better connectivity.
Earlsfield is smaller and more local. It grew up around its station on Garratt Lane, with Victorian terraces spreading up the hill towards Wandsworth Common and along the River Wandle, and it has a surprisingly strong run of cafés, restaurants and pubs for its size. On our data it has a higher density of young professionals than Putney and scores better for food and cafés, but it has no tube and quiet evenings. Its trains reach Waterloo quickly via Clapham Junction, which is the commute most residents rely on.
If the Waterloo line suits your commute and you want the lower rent, Earlsfield is hard to beat in this corner of London. If you want the Thames on your doorstep, a tube option and a bit more going on, Putney earns its premium.
Wandsworth · Zones 2/3
Living in Putney — full area guide
Rowing on the river, Richmond Park up the road and a clean South-West line to Waterloo — a slightly older, more settled professional crowd than Clapham.
Wandsworth · Zone 3
Living in Earlsfield — full area guide
A quieter Wandsworth pick with quick rail to Waterloo, good local pubs, and the south-west commons within reach.
Quick verdict
Earlsfield offers better value — similar or better scores at a lower rent.
Rent
Earlsfield is cheaper by about £250 per month.
Transport
Putney has the stronger transport score.
Lifestyle
Earlsfield has the stronger overall lifestyle profile.
Rent comparison
Earlsfieldwinner
WandsworthPutney is £250/month cheaper on a 1-bed flat.
Rent data as of , sourced from Rightmove, Zoopla, OpenRent, and SpareRoom visible listing samples. Methodology.
How they compare on transport
Putney sits in Zones 2 & 3 and is served by Putney and East Putney, giving access to the National Rail and District lines. Earlsfield sits in Zone 3 and is served by Earlsfield, giving access to the National Rail line. Putney has the higher overall connectivity score of the two (7/10 vs 6/10).
Getting between Putney and Earlsfield
The two are about 2.9 km apart, roughly 10 minutes by public transport. They share the National Rail line, so you can usually make the trip without changing. Worth knowing if you are choosing between them but have ties — a partner, friends, a gym — anchored in the other.
Straight-line estimate at an average transit speed; real journeys with interchanges may take longer. Estimate method reviewed . Check the current route with TfL.
Lifestyle comparison
Lively
Green space
Nightlife
Café density
Gym density
Walkability
Food scene
Young professionals
Safety
Transport
Which area suits which priorities?
Choose Putney if...
- -Thames Path and rowing clubs
- -Easy reach of Richmond Park
- -A tidy residential feel
Choose Earlsfield if...
- -Fast rail to Waterloo
- -Calmer than Clapham
- -Good local pubs and gyms
For green space, Putney scores higher. For nightlife, Putney has the edge. They have the same safety score in the current model.
Putney
Rowing on the river, Richmond Park up the road and a clean South-West line to Waterloo — a slightly older, more settled professional crowd than Clapham.
- ✓Thames Path and rowing clubs
- ✓Easy reach of Richmond Park
- ✓A tidy residential feel
- →Pricey
- →Slow to east London
Earlsfield
A quieter Wandsworth pick with quick rail to Waterloo, good local pubs, and the south-west commons within reach.
- ✓Fast rail to Waterloo
- ✓Calmer than Clapham
- ✓Good local pubs and gyms
- →No tube
- →Limited nightlife
- →Feels dear for rail-only access
Frequently asked questions
Is Putney or Earlsfield cheaper to rent?
Earlsfield is cheaper. A one-bed flat averages £1,600/month in Earlsfield versus £1,850/month in Putney — a difference of about £250/month.
Which is better for green space, Putney or Earlsfield?
Putney scores higher for green space — 9/10 versus 7/10 for Earlsfield in the area model.
Should I live in Putney or Earlsfield?
Earlsfield offers better value — similar or better scores at a lower rent. Pick Putney for green space, or Earlsfield for the food scene.
Compare Putney with similar areas
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Data sources and review date
This comparison uses the same area model as the discovery tool. Rent data was last reviewed on .
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