Where Are People Moving To and From in East London & Essex? 2026 Data

The direction of travel is outward and eastward. People are leaving inner and east London for Essex and the outer-east boroughs, and the pull is space and value rather than a simple price cut. On the latest Land Registry figures, some of the most popular Essex destinations actually cost more than the boroughs people are leaving. Here is what the data shows, and what it means if you are planning a move.

The short answer: which way are people moving?

ONS internal migration data shows boroughs like Hackney, Newham and Waltham Forest keep growing mainly through births and international arrivals, while large numbers of existing residents move out to the rest of the UK. Neighbouring Essex and the wider East of England are the most common destinations.

You can see the result in the census. Between 2011 and 2021 the fastest growth was in the outer and eastern boroughs, well ahead of the London average.

House prices across East London and Essex (February 2026)

These are Land Registry UK House Price Index average prices for the same month, so they are directly comparable.

The headline people repeat, that Essex is far cheaper than London, only holds for part of Essex. The commuter towns are not a saving: Epping Forest and Brentwood both cost more than Havering, Newham or Barking and Dagenham. The real savings sit in the value towns, Harlow, Thurrock and Basildon, or in buying more space for the same money. If price is your driver, look east and to the value towns. If you want fast central London access with schools and green space, expect to pay London money for Brentwood or Epping.

Where the population is actually growing

Census 2021 population change tells you where people have landed.

Barking and Dagenham was the second fastest growing borough in London, and Havering grew well above the London and England averages. The eastern edge of the capital, and the Essex border beyond it, is where the growth is.

Area by area

Hackney

The most expensive borough in this list at £600,215. Hackney gains younger renters and international arrivals while priced-out families move out, often eastward. Moves here mean tight Victorian streets and controlled parking, so a bay suspension at the loading end is common. See removals in Hackney.

Walthamstow (Waltham Forest)

At £525,350, Waltham Forest sits just above Redbridge. It is a classic staging post, people arrive from inner London, then move on to Essex when they need a third bedroom. See removals in Walthamstow.

Ilford (Redbridge)

Redbridge averages £502,601 and is one of the main gateways from East London into Essex, with the Elizabeth line making Chelmsford and Shenfield realistic commutes. See removals in Ilford and the wider East London coverage.

Romford (Havering)

Havering at £446,449 is where London meets Essex, and its 10.4% growth shows how many people are settling on that border rather than crossing it. See removals in Romford.

Popular Essex destinations

Brentwood and Epping Forest are the premium commuter choices and are priced accordingly. Chelmsford offers a city with fast trains at a mid price. Harlow, Basildon and Thurrock are where the genuine savings are. See our Essex removals coverage.

What this means if you are planning a move

1. Do not assume Essex is cheaper. Compare the specific town against your current borough on the table above before you decide.
2. Budget for space, not just price. Many East London to Essex moves are a lateral price move that buys a bigger home and garden.
3. Plan the logistics early. A move from inner East London out to Essex is longer than a local hop, usually needs a properly sized vehicle and a team of two or three to avoid multiple trips, and often needs a parking suspension at the London end. Our house removals service is quoted as a fixed price after a survey, which is more reliable than an hourly rate on a longer move.
4. If your dates do not line up, storage bridges the gap. Secure storage lets you complete the sale before the purchase without cramming everything into one day.

FAQs

Are people really moving out of East London into Essex?

Yes, the direction is outward and eastward. ONS internal migration data shows boroughs like Hackney, Newham and Waltham Forest grow mainly through births and international arrivals, while many existing residents move out to the rest of the UK, with neighbouring Essex among the most common destinations. The census bears it out: Barking and Dagenham grew 17.7% and Havering 10.4% between 2011 and 2021, against a London average of 7.7%.

Is it actually cheaper to move from East London to Essex?

It depends on the town, and often it is not. On Land Registry figures for February 2026, Epping Forest averaged £533,267 and Brentwood £511,480, both higher than Havering (£446,449), Newham (£382,763) or Barking and Dagenham (£361,952). The real savings are in the value towns such as Harlow (£320,326), Thurrock (£327,934) and Basildon (£357,848), or in getting more space for the same budget.

Which Essex areas are most popular with people leaving East London?

The commuter towns on the Elizabeth line and Liverpool Street routes draw the most interest, Brentwood, Shenfield, Chelmsford and Epping for fast central access, and Harlow, Basildon and Thurrock for the biggest saving. The right one depends on whether you commute daily, how much space you need and school catchment.

How far ahead should I book a removal company for an East London to Essex move?

For end-of-month completions and Friday moves, four to six weeks is sensible, and more around bank holidays and summer. These moves are longer than a local hop and often need a parking suspension at the London end, so booking early leaves time to arrange it. MET Removals offers a free no-commitment survey to hold your date.

Do I need a bigger team or vehicle than for a local move?

Usually yes for anything above a one-bedroom flat. The extra distance makes multiple trips impractical, so a properly sized vehicle and a team of two or three keeps it to one run and controls the cost. Narrow terraces, upper-floor flats and controlled parking at the London end all add time, which is why a fixed price after a survey beats an hourly rate here.

Get a fixed-price quote for your East London or Essex move

MET Removals is run by brothers Michael, Ethan and Troy, with a 5.0 star rating across 161 Google reviews. We cover East London and Essex, including Hackney, Walthamstow, Ilford, Romford and across the county into Brentwood, Chelmsford, Epping and beyond. Get a fixed-price quote that includes ULEZ, congestion charges and stairs, with no extras on the day.