Alva vs Brechin
Which is better to live in? Distance: 59.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Alva is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 1% lower. Alva has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brechin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alva
£165,447
Brechin
£167,088
Crime Rate
Alva
828.3
Brechin
960.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alva
65.2%
Brechin
91.1%
Avg Download Speed
Alva
476.6
Brechin
62.7
EPC Rating
Alva
61.2
Brechin
66.8
Median Income
Alva
£27,183
Brechin
£25,022
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Brechin commands an average of £167,088, compared with £165,447 in Alva – a difference of 1%. The most affordable entry point in Alva is a flat at £93,205, while in Brechin it is a flat at £94,981.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 6% pricier in Alva (£307,938 vs £290,784).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Alva prices grew faster — 140% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandAlva has a crime rate of 828.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 16% lower than Brechin at 960.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Alva is violent-crime, while in Brechin it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Alva's most common crime is violent crime; in Brechin it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Brechin, where 91.1% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 65.2% in Alva. There are 24 schools in Alva and 59 in Brechin.
Alva School Inspection Breakdown
65.2% of 24 schools (20 primary, 4 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 | Alva | Brechin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 59 |
| Primary | 20 | 51 |
| Secondary | 4 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 65.2% | 91.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 476.6 Mbps in Alva and 62.7 Mbps in Brechin. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Alva and 65.8% in Brechin. Gigabit availability stands at 93.6% in Alva and 1.3% in Brechin.
Alva is the faster of the two by 660% on average download speed (477 vs 63 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Brechin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.8 (D), while Alva averages 61.2 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,519 in Alva and £1,284 in Brechin. 27.3% of homes in Alva have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 29.3% in Brechin.
Brechin has more energy-efficient housing — 29.3% reach band C or above, vs 27.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,183 in Alva and £25,022 in Brechin. The median age is 42.6 in Alva and 44.7 in Brechin. Owner-occupancy is 62.4% in Alva versus 67.3% in Brechin. Employment rates stand at 71.3% in Alva and 75.1% in Brechin.
| Indicator | Alva | Brechin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,600 | 7,400 |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 44.7 |
| Median Household Income | £27,183 | £25,022 |
| Employment Rate | 71.3% | 75.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.4% | 67.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38.3% | 19% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Alva and Brechin?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Alva or Brechin?
Is Alva or Brechin safer?
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