Alness vs Brechin
Which is better to live in? Distance: 89.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Brechin is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 26% lower. Brechin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brechin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alness
£210,131
Brechin
£167,088
Crime Rate
Alness
3218.6
Brechin
960.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alness
66.0%
Brechin
91.1%
Avg Download Speed
Alness
411.7
Brechin
62.7
EPC Rating
Alness
53.7
Brechin
66.8
Median Income
Alness
£33,184
Brechin
£25,022
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £167,088, Brechin undercuts Alness (£210,131) by around 26% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Alness is a flat at £122,118, while in Brechin it is a flat at £94,981.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 29% pricier in Alness (£122,118 vs £94,981).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Alness prices grew faster — 132% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandBrechin has a crime rate of 960.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 235% lower than Alness at 3,218.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Alness is other-crime, while in Brechin it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandOf the 52 schools in Alness, 66% are in the top two inspection bands. In Brechin, which has 59 schools, the figure is 91.1%.
Alness School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Brechin School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alness | Brechin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 59 |
| Primary | 44 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 66% | 91.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Alness averages 411.7 Mbps – ahead of Brechin's 62.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.5% of premises in Alness and 65.8% in Brechin. Gigabit availability stands at 81.2% in Alness and 1.3% in Brechin.
Alness is the faster of the two by 557% on average download speed (412 vs 63 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Brechin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.8 (D), while Alness averages 53.7 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,663 in Alness and £1,284 in Brechin. 50% of homes in Alness have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 29.3% in Brechin.
Alness has more energy-efficient housing — 50% reach band C or above, vs 29.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,184 in Alness and £25,022 in Brechin. The median age is 39.8 in Alness and 44.7 in Brechin. Owner-occupancy is 70% in Alness versus 67.3% in Brechin. Employment rates stand at 70.2% in Alness and 75.1% in Brechin.
| Indicator | Alness | Brechin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,800 | 7,400 |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 44.7 |
| Median Household Income | £33,184 | £25,022 |
| Employment Rate | 70.2% | 75.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 67.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 19% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Alness and Brechin?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Alness or Brechin?
Is Alness or Brechin safer?
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