Alness vs Kirkcudbright
Which is better to live in? Distance: 197.7 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Kirkcudbright wins on house prices with a 29% gap. Alness has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Kirkcudbright edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alness
£210,131
Kirkcudbright
£162,680
Crime Rate
Alness
3218.6
Kirkcudbright
5207.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alness
66.0%
Kirkcudbright
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Alness
411.7
Kirkcudbright
225.7
EPC Rating
Alness
53.7
Kirkcudbright
44.4
Median Income
Alness
£33,184
Kirkcudbright
£28,391
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Alness commands an average of £210,131, compared with £162,680 in Kirkcudbright – a difference of 29%. The most affordable entry point in Alness is a flat at £122,118, while in Kirkcudbright it is a flat at £86,885.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 41% pricier in Alness (£122,118 vs £86,885).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Alness prices grew faster — 132% vs 92%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Alness experience less crime overall, with a rate of 3,218.6 per 1,000 versus 5,207.9 per 1,000 in Kirkcudbright. The most common crime category in Alness is other-crime, while in Kirkcudbright 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 Kirkcudbright, where 72% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66% in Alness. There are 52 schools in Alness and 108 in Kirkcudbright.
Alness School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkcudbright School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alness | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 108 |
| Primary | 44 | 93 |
| Secondary | 8 | 15 |
| % Top two bands | 66% | 72% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 411.7 Mbps in Alness and 225.7 Mbps in Kirkcudbright. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.5% of premises in Alness and 96.3% in Kirkcudbright. Gigabit availability stands at 81.2% in Alness and 35.1% in Kirkcudbright.
Alness is the faster of the two by 82% on average download speed (412 vs 226 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Alness leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 53.7 (E), while Kirkcudbright averages 44.4 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,663 in Alness and £1,774 in Kirkcudbright. 50% of homes in Alness have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 29.9% in Kirkcudbright.
Alness has more energy-efficient housing — 50% reach band C or above, vs 29.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,184 in Alness and £28,391 in Kirkcudbright. The median age is 39.8 in Alness and 36.3 in Kirkcudbright. Owner-occupancy is 70% in Alness versus 60.4% in Kirkcudbright. Employment rates stand at 70.2% in Alness and 69.6% in Kirkcudbright.
| Indicator | Alness | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,800 | 3,420 |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.3 |
| Median Household Income | £33,184 | £28,391 |
| Employment Rate | 70.2% | 69.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 28.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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