Annan vs Kirkcudbright
Which is better to live in? Distance: 33.2 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Annan wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Annan has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Annan edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Annan
£162,680
Kirkcudbright
£162,680
Crime Rate
Annan
2028.6
Kirkcudbright
5207.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Annan
72.0%
Kirkcudbright
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Annan
273.7
Kirkcudbright
225.7
EPC Rating
Annan
64.6
Kirkcudbright
44.4
Median Income
Annan
£28,015
Kirkcudbright
£28,391
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Kirkcudbright 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 Kirkcudbright 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 ScotlandResidents of Annan experience less crime overall, with a rate of 2,028.6 per 1,000 versus 5,207.9 per 1,000 in Kirkcudbright. The most common crime category in Annan is other-crime, while in Kirkcudbright 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 Kirkcudbright. There are 108 schools in Annan and 108 in Kirkcudbright.
Annan School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkcudbright School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Annan | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| 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 225.7 Mbps in Kirkcudbright. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 91.3% of premises in Annan and 96.3% in Kirkcudbright. Gigabit availability stands at 47.4% in Annan and 35.1% in Kirkcudbright.
Annan is the faster of the two by 21% on average download speed (274 vs 226 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Annan, scoring 64.6 on average (band D) compared to 44.4 (band E) in Kirkcudbright. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,360 in Annan and £1,774 in Kirkcudbright. 41.8% of homes in Annan have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 29.9% in Kirkcudbright.
Annan has more energy-efficient housing — 41.8% reach band C or above, vs 29.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £28,391 in Kirkcudbright and £28,015 in Annan. The median age is 43.8 in Annan and 36.3 in Kirkcudbright. Employment rates stand at 73.3% in Annan and 69.6% in Kirkcudbright. Owner-occupancy is 63.5% in Annan versus 60.4% in Kirkcudbright. Annan has a population of 8,780 and Kirkcudbright has 3,420.
| Indicator | Annan | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,780 | 3,420 |
| Median Age | 43.8 | 36.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,015 | £28,391 |
| Employment Rate | 73.3% | 69.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.5% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.2% | 28.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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