Town comparison
Alness vs Elgin
Which is better to live in? 35.2 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Elgin wins on house prices with a 9% gap. Elgin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Alness edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alness
£210,131
Elgin
£193,428
Crime Rate
Alness
3218.6
Elgin
258.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alness
66.0%
Elgin
66.0%
Avg Download Speed
Alness
411.7
Elgin
363.7
EPC Rating
Alness
53.7
Elgin
63.6
Median Income
Alness
£33,184
Elgin
£32,262
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Alness commands an average of £210,131, compared with £193,428 in Elgin – a difference of 9%. The most affordable entry point in Alness is a flat at £122,118, while in Elgin it is a flat at £108,210.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 13% pricier in Alness (£122,118 vs £108,210).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Elgin prices grew faster — 150% vs 132%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Elgin experience less crime overall, with a rate of 258.3 per 1,000 versus 3,218.6 per 1,000 in Alness. The most common crime category in Alness is other-crime, while in Elgin 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 ScotlandFamilies may prefer Alness, where 66% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66% in Elgin. There are 52 schools in Alness and 52 in Elgin.
Alness School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Elgin School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alness | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 52 |
| Primary | 44 | 44 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 66% | 66% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 411.7 Mbps in Alness and 363.7 Mbps in Elgin. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.5% of premises in Alness and 91.6% in Elgin. Gigabit availability stands at 81.2% in Alness and 68.6% in Elgin.
Alness is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (412 vs 364 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Elgin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 63.6 (D), while Alness averages 53.7 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,663 in Alness and £1,390 in Elgin. 50% of homes in Alness have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 39.5% in Elgin.
Alness has more energy-efficient housing — 50% reach band C or above, vs 39.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,184 in Alness and £32,262 in Elgin. The median age is 39.8 in Alness and 43.5 in Elgin. Owner-occupancy is 70% in Alness versus 57.1% in Elgin. Employment rates stand at 70.2% in Alness and 77% in Elgin.
| Indicator | Alness | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,800 | 24,760 |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 43.5 |
| Median Household Income | £33,184 | £32,262 |
| Employment Rate | 70.2% | 77% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 57.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 25.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Alness and Elgin?
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