Town comparison
Alva vs Elgin
Which is better to live in? 104.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Alva wins on house prices with a 14% gap. Elgin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Elgin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alva
£165,447
Elgin
£193,428
Crime Rate
Alva
828.3
Elgin
258.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alva
65.2%
Elgin
66.0%
Avg Download Speed
Alva
476.6
Elgin
363.7
EPC Rating
Alva
61.2
Elgin
63.6
Median Income
Alva
£27,183
Elgin
£32,262
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Elgin commands an average of £193,428, compared with £165,447 in Alva – a difference of 14%. The most affordable entry point in Alva is a flat at £93,205, while in Elgin it is a flat at £108,210.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 14% pricier in Elgin (£108,210 vs £93,205).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Elgin prices grew faster — 150% vs 140%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Elgin experience less crime overall, with a rate of 258.3 per 1,000 versus 828.3 per 1,000 in Alva. The most common crime category in Alva is violent-crime, while in Elgin it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Alva's most common crime is violent crime; in Elgin it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Elgin, where 66% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 65.2% in Alva. There are 24 schools in Alva and 52 in Elgin.
Alva School Inspection Breakdown
65.2% of 24 schools (20 primary, 4 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 | Alva | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 52 |
| Primary | 20 | 44 |
| Secondary | 4 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 65.2% | 66% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 476.6 Mbps in Alva and 363.7 Mbps in Elgin. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Alva and 91.6% in Elgin. Gigabit availability stands at 93.6% in Alva and 68.6% in Elgin.
Alva is the faster of the two by 31% on average download speed (477 vs 364 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Elgin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 63.6 (D), while Alva averages 61.2 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,519 in Alva and £1,390 in Elgin. 27.3% of homes in Alva have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 39.5% in Elgin.
Elgin has more energy-efficient housing — 39.5% reach band C or above, vs 27.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,262 in Elgin and £27,183 in Alva. The median age is 42.6 in Alva and 43.5 in Elgin. Owner-occupancy is 62.4% in Alva versus 57.1% in Elgin. Employment rates stand at 71.3% in Alva and 77% in Elgin.
| Indicator | Alva | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,600 | 24,760 |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 43.5 |
| Median Household Income | £27,183 | £32,262 |
| Employment Rate | 71.3% | 77% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.4% | 57.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38.3% | 25.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Alva and Elgin?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Alva or Elgin?
Is Alva or Elgin safer?
Which has better schools, Alva or Elgin?
Which has faster broadband, Alva or Elgin?
Keep exploring