Town comparison
Alva vs Kirriemuir
Which is better to live in? 47.3 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 1% gap. Alva has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Kirriemuir edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alva
£165,447
Kirriemuir
£167,088
Crime Rate
Alva
828.3
Kirriemuir
1161.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alva
65.2%
Kirriemuir
91.1%
Avg Download Speed
Alva
476.6
Kirriemuir
250.4
EPC Rating
Alva
61.2
Kirriemuir
60.8
Median Income
Alva
£27,183
Kirriemuir
£26,925
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £165,447, Alva undercuts Kirriemuir (£167,088) by around 1% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Alva is a flat at £93,205, while in Kirriemuir 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 ScotlandResidents of Alva experience less crime overall, with a rate of 828.3 per 1,000 versus 1,161.9 per 1,000 in Kirriemuir. The most common crime category in Alva is violent-crime, while in Kirriemuir it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Alva's most common crime is violent crime; in Kirriemuir it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandOf the 24 schools in Alva, 65.2% are in the top two inspection bands. In Kirriemuir, which has 59 schools, the figure is 91.1%.
Alva School Inspection Breakdown
65.2% of 24 schools (20 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirriemuir School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alva | Kirriemuir |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 59 |
| Primary | 20 | 51 |
| Secondary | 4 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 65.2% | 91.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Alva averages 476.6 Mbps – ahead of Kirriemuir's 250.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Alva and 69.6% in Kirriemuir. Gigabit availability stands at 93.6% in Alva and 45.4% in Kirriemuir.
Alva is the faster of the two by 90% on average download speed (477 vs 250 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Alva leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 61.2 (D), while Kirriemuir averages 60.8 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,519 in Alva and £1,312 in Kirriemuir. 27.3% of homes in Alva have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.6% in Kirriemuir.
Kirriemuir has more energy-efficient housing — 47.6% reach band C or above, vs 27.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,183 in Alva and £26,925 in Kirriemuir. The median age is 42.6 in Alva and 42.4 in Kirriemuir. Owner-occupancy is 62.4% in Alva versus 52.3% in Kirriemuir. Employment rates stand at 71.3% in Alva and 76% in Kirriemuir.
| Indicator | Alva | Kirriemuir |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,600 | 6,120 |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £27,183 | £26,925 |
| Employment Rate | 71.3% | 76% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.4% | 52.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38.3% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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