Arbroath vs Carnoustie
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Arbroath is about 0% cheaper on average. Arbroath has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Arbroath edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Arbroath
£167,088
Carnoustie
£167,088
Crime Rate
Arbroath
297.0
Carnoustie
626.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Arbroath
91.1%
Carnoustie
91.1%
Avg Download Speed
Arbroath
280.8
Carnoustie
395.5
EPC Rating
Arbroath
57.4
Carnoustie
65.9
Median Income
Arbroath
£35,996
Carnoustie
£30,053
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Arbroath more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £167,088 versus £167,088 in Carnoustie. The most affordable entry point in Arbroath is a flat at £94,981, while in Carnoustie it is a flat at £94,981.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Arbroath (£290,784 vs £290,784).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Arbroath prices grew faster — 127% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 297 offences per 1,000 people, Arbroath is the safer of the two – 111% lower than Carnoustie's 626 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Arbroath is other-crime, while in Carnoustie 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 ScotlandSchool quality favours Arbroath: 91.1% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 91.1% in Carnoustie.
Arbroath School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Carnoustie School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Arbroath | Carnoustie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 91.1% | 91.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Carnoustie enjoy 395.5 Mbps on average, while Arbroath lags behind at 280.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.1% of premises in Arbroath and 93.1% in Carnoustie. Gigabit availability stands at 49.9% in Arbroath and 76.2% in Carnoustie.
Carnoustie is the faster of the two by 41% on average download speed (396 vs 281 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Carnoustie is band D (score 65.9), ahead of Arbroath's band D (score 57.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,445 in Arbroath and £1,396 in Carnoustie. 40.4% of homes in Arbroath have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.3% in Carnoustie.
Carnoustie has more energy-efficient housing — 54.3% reach band C or above, vs 40.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Arbroath has a population of 23,940 while Carnoustie has 11,360. Median household income is £35,996 in Arbroath and £30,053 in Carnoustie. The median age is 41.2 in Arbroath and 44.3 in Carnoustie. Employment rates stand at 75.3% in Arbroath and 74.3% in Carnoustie.
| Indicator | Arbroath | Carnoustie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,940 | 11,360 |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 44.3 |
| Median Household Income | £35,996 | £30,053 |
| Employment Rate | 75.3% | 74.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.4% | 58.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 27.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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