Town comparison
Annan vs Gretna
Which is better to live in? 7.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Annan is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Annan has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Annan edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Annan
£162,680
Gretna
£162,680
Crime Rate
Annan
2028.6
Gretna
5858.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Annan
72.0%
Gretna
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Annan
273.7
Gretna
100.7
EPC Rating
Annan
64.6
Gretna
67.3
Median Income
Annan
£28,015
Gretna
£31,136
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Gretna commands an average of £162,680, compared with £162,680 in Annan – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Annan is a flat at £86,885, while in Gretna it is a flat at £86,885.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Annan (£247,236 vs £247,236).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Annan prices grew faster — 92% vs 92%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandAnnan has a crime rate of 2,028.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 189% lower than Gretna at 5,858.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Annan is other-crime, while in Gretna 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 72% in Gretna. There are 108 schools in Annan and 108 in Gretna.
Annan School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Gretna School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Annan | Gretna |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 108 | 108 |
| Primary | 93 | 93 |
| Secondary | 15 | 15 |
| % Top two bands | 72% | 72% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 273.7 Mbps in Annan and 100.7 Mbps in Gretna. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.3% of premises in Annan and 88.1% in Gretna. Gigabit availability stands at 47.4% in Annan and 6.8% in Gretna.
Annan is the faster of the two by 172% on average download speed (274 vs 101 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Gretna, scoring 67.3 on average (band C) compared to 64.6 (band D) in Annan. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,360 in Annan and £1,436 in Gretna. 41.8% of homes in Annan have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 50.4% in Gretna.
Gretna has more energy-efficient housing — 50.4% reach band C or above, vs 41.8% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,136 in Gretna and £28,015 in Annan. The median age is 43.8 in Annan and 46.6 in Gretna. Employment rates stand at 73.3% in Annan and 55.8% in Gretna. Owner-occupancy is 63.5% in Annan versus 68.8% in Gretna. Annan has a population of 8,780 and Gretna has 3,040.
| Indicator | Annan | Gretna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,780 | 3,040 |
| Median Age | 43.8 | 46.6 |
| Median Household Income | £28,015 | £31,136 |
| Employment Rate | 73.3% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.5% | 68.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.2% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Annan and Gretna?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Annan or Gretna?
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Which has faster broadband, Annan or Gretna?
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