Alva vs Hallglen
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Alva wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Alva has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Hallglen edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alva
£165,447
Hallglen
£165,479
Crime Rate
Alva
828.3
Hallglen
3868.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alva
65.2%
Hallglen
94.7%
Avg Download Speed
Alva
476.6
Hallglen
388.6
EPC Rating
Alva
61.2
Hallglen
50.6
Median Income
Alva
£27,183
Hallglen
£27,573
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Hallglen commands an average of £165,479, compared with £165,447 in Alva – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Alva is a flat at £93,205, while in Hallglen it is a flat at £99,408.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 8% pricier in Hallglen (£152,054 vs £140,514).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Hallglen prices grew faster — 144% vs 140%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Alva experience less crime overall, with a rate of 828.3 per 1,000 versus 3,868.6 per 1,000 in Hallglen. The most common crime category in Alva is violent-crime, while in Hallglen it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Alva's most common crime is violent crime; in Hallglen it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Hallglen, where 94.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 65.2% in Alva. There are 24 schools in Alva and 59 in Hallglen.
Alva School Inspection Breakdown
65.2% of 24 schools (20 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Hallglen School Inspection Breakdown
94.7% of 59 schools (50 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alva | Hallglen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 59 |
| Primary | 20 | 50 |
| Secondary | 4 | 9 |
| % Top two bands | 65.2% | 94.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 476.6 Mbps in Alva and 388.6 Mbps in Hallglen. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Alva and 88.8% in Hallglen. Gigabit availability stands at 93.6% in Alva and 75.2% in Hallglen.
Alva is the faster of the two by 23% on average download speed (477 vs 389 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Alva, scoring 61.2 on average (band D) compared to 50.6 (band E) in Hallglen. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,519 in Alva and £1,370 in Hallglen. 27.3% of homes in Alva have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 32.5% in Hallglen.
Hallglen has more energy-efficient housing — 32.5% reach band C or above, vs 27.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,573 in Hallglen and £27,183 in Alva. The median age is 42.6 in Alva and 38.6 in Hallglen. Employment rates stand at 71.3% in Alva and 74.2% in Hallglen. Owner-occupancy is 62.4% in Alva versus 61.6% in Hallglen. Alva has a population of 4,600 and Hallglen has 3,180.
| Indicator | Alva | Hallglen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,600 | 3,180 |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.6 |
| Median Household Income | £27,183 | £27,573 |
| Employment Rate | 71.3% | 74.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.4% | 61.6% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38.3% | 34.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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