Alva vs Linlithgow
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Alva is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 24% lower. Alva has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Linlithgow edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Alva
£165,447
Linlithgow
£217,827
Crime Rate
Alva
828.3
Linlithgow
1096.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Alva
65.2%
Linlithgow
91.5%
Avg Download Speed
Alva
476.6
Linlithgow
371.8
EPC Rating
Alva
61.2
Linlithgow
64.5
Median Income
Alva
£27,183
Linlithgow
£25,866
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Linlithgow commands an average of £217,827, compared with £165,447 in Alva – a difference of 24%. The most affordable entry point in Alva is a flat at £93,205, while in Linlithgow it is a flat at £123,221.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 24% pricier in Linlithgow (£123,221 vs £93,205).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Linlithgow prices grew faster — 142% vs 140%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandAlva has a crime rate of 828.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 32% lower than Linlithgow at 1,096.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Alva is violent-crime, while in Linlithgow it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Linlithgow, where 91.5% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 65.2% in Alva. There are 24 schools in Alva and 86 in Linlithgow.
Alva School Inspection Breakdown
65.2% of 24 schools (20 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Linlithgow School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Alva | Linlithgow |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 24 | 86 |
| Primary | 20 | 73 |
| Secondary | 4 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 65.2% | 91.5% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 476.6 Mbps in Alva and 371.8 Mbps in Linlithgow. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.3% of premises in Alva and 94.3% in Linlithgow. Gigabit availability stands at 93.6% in Alva and 69% in Linlithgow.
Alva is the faster of the two by 28% on average download speed (477 vs 372 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Linlithgow, scoring 64.5 on average (band D) compared to 61.2 (band D) in Alva. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,519 in Alva and £1,451 in Linlithgow. 27.3% of homes in Alva have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.1% in Linlithgow.
Linlithgow has more energy-efficient housing — 62.1% reach band C or above, vs 27.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,183 in Alva and £25,866 in Linlithgow. The median age is 42.6 in Alva and 43.8 in Linlithgow. Employment rates stand at 71.3% in Alva and 71% in Linlithgow. Owner-occupancy is 62.4% in Alva versus 61.7% in Linlithgow. Alva has a population of 4,600 and Linlithgow has 13,260.
| Indicator | Alva | Linlithgow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,600 | 13,260 |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £27,183 | £25,866 |
| Employment Rate | 71.3% | 71% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.4% | 61.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38.3% | 31.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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