Alness vs Nairn
Which is better to live in? Distance: 16.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Alness offers lower property prices by roughly 0%. Nairn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Alness edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alness
£210,131
Nairn
£210,131
Crime Rate
Alness
3218.6
Nairn
1874.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alness
66.0%
Nairn
66.0%
Avg Download Speed
Alness
411.7
Nairn
115.5
EPC Rating
Alness
53.7
Nairn
55.8
Median Income
Alness
£33,184
Nairn
£28,676
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Alness more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £210,131 versus £210,131 in Nairn. The most affordable entry point in Alness is a flat at £122,118, while in Nairn it is a flat at £122,118.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Alness (£322,105 vs £322,105).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Alness prices grew faster — 132% vs 132%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 1,874.3 offences per 1,000 people, Nairn is the safer of the two – 72% lower than Alness's 3,218.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Alness is other-crime, while in Nairn 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 ScotlandSchool quality favours Alness: 66% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 66% in Nairn.
Alness School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Nairn School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alness | Nairn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 52 |
| Primary | 44 | 44 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 66% | 66% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Alness enjoy 411.7 Mbps on average, while Nairn lags behind at 115.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 86.5% of premises in Alness and 85.1% in Nairn. Gigabit availability stands at 81.2% in Alness and 10.8% in Nairn.
Alness is the faster of the two by 256% on average download speed (412 vs 116 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Nairn is band D (score 55.8), ahead of Alness's band E (score 53.7). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,663 in Alness and £1,373 in Nairn. 50% of homes in Alness have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.4% in Nairn.
Alness has more energy-efficient housing — 50% reach band C or above, vs 47.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Alness has a population of 5,800 while Nairn has 9,960. Median household income is £33,184 in Alness and £28,676 in Nairn. The median age is 39.8 in Alness and 40.6 in Nairn. Employment rates stand at 70.2% in Alness and 76.7% in Nairn.
| Indicator | Alness | Nairn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,800 | 9,960 |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 40.6 |
| Median Household Income | £33,184 | £28,676 |
| Employment Rate | 70.2% | 76.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 70% | 62.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23.9% | 28.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Alness and Nairn?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Alness or Nairn?
Is Alness or Nairn safer?
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