Town comparison
Annan vs Elgin
Which is better to live in? 183.7 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Annan wins on house prices with a 16% gap. Elgin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Annan edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Annan
£162,680
Elgin
£193,428
Crime Rate
Annan
2028.6
Elgin
258.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Annan
72.0%
Elgin
66.0%
Avg Download Speed
Annan
273.7
Elgin
363.7
EPC Rating
Annan
64.6
Elgin
63.6
Median Income
Annan
£28,015
Elgin
£32,262
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Elgin commands an average of £193,428, compared with £162,680 in Annan – a difference of 16%. The most affordable entry point in Annan is a flat at £86,885, while in Elgin it is a flat at £108,210.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 20% pricier in Elgin (£108,210 vs £86,885).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Elgin prices grew faster — 150% vs 92%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Elgin experience less crime overall, with a rate of 258.3 per 1,000 versus 2,028.6 per 1,000 in Annan. The most common crime category in Annan is other-crime, while in Elgin it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Annan, where 72% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66% in Elgin. There are 108 schools in Annan and 52 in Elgin.
Annan School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 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 | Annan | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 108 | 52 |
| Primary | 93 | 44 |
| Secondary | 15 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 72% | 66% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 363.7 Mbps in Elgin and 273.7 Mbps in Annan. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.3% of premises in Annan and 91.6% in Elgin. Gigabit availability stands at 47.4% in Annan and 68.6% in Elgin.
Elgin is the faster of the two by 33% on average download speed (364 vs 274 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Annan, scoring 64.6 on average (band D) compared to 63.6 (band D) in Elgin. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,360 in Annan and £1,390 in Elgin. 41.8% of homes in Annan have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 39.5% in Elgin.
Annan has more energy-efficient housing — 41.8% reach band C or above, vs 39.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,262 in Elgin and £28,015 in Annan. The median age is 43.8 in Annan and 43.5 in Elgin. Employment rates stand at 73.3% in Annan and 77% in Elgin. Owner-occupancy is 63.5% in Annan versus 57.1% in Elgin. Annan has a population of 8,780 and Elgin has 24,760.
| Indicator | Annan | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,780 | 24,760 |
| Median Age | 43.8 | 43.5 |
| Median Household Income | £28,015 | £32,262 |
| Employment Rate | 73.3% | 77% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.5% | 57.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.2% | 25.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Annan and Elgin?
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