Arbroath vs Kirkcudbright
Which is better to live in? Distance: 132.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Kirkcudbright is about 3% 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
Kirkcudbright
£162,680
Crime Rate
Arbroath
297.0
Kirkcudbright
5207.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Arbroath
91.1%
Kirkcudbright
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Arbroath
280.8
Kirkcudbright
225.7
EPC Rating
Arbroath
57.4
Kirkcudbright
44.4
Median Income
Arbroath
£35,996
Kirkcudbright
£28,391
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Kirkcudbright more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £162,680 versus £167,088 in Arbroath. The most affordable entry point in Arbroath is a flat at £94,981, while in Kirkcudbright it is a flat at £86,885.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Arbroath (£290,784 vs £247,236).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Arbroath prices grew faster — 127% vs 92%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandCrime is lower in Arbroath (297 per 1,000) compared to Kirkcudbright (5,207.9 per 1,000), a 1654% difference. The most common crime category in Arbroath 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 ScotlandSchool quality favours Arbroath: 91.1% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 72% in Kirkcudbright.
Arbroath School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 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 | Arbroath | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 108 |
| Primary | 51 | 93 |
| Secondary | 8 | 15 |
| % Top two bands | 91.1% | 72% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Arbroath enjoy 280.8 Mbps on average, while Kirkcudbright lags behind at 225.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.1% of premises in Arbroath and 96.3% in Kirkcudbright. Gigabit availability stands at 49.9% in Arbroath and 35.1% in Kirkcudbright.
Arbroath is the faster of the two by 24% on average download speed (281 vs 226 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Arbroath is band D (score 57.4), ahead of Kirkcudbright's band E (score 44.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,445 in Arbroath and £1,774 in Kirkcudbright. 40.4% of homes in Arbroath have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 29.9% in Kirkcudbright.
Arbroath has more energy-efficient housing — 40.4% reach band C or above, vs 29.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Arbroath has a population of 23,940 while Kirkcudbright has 3,420. Median household income is £35,996 in Arbroath and £28,391 in Kirkcudbright. The median age is 41.2 in Arbroath and 36.3 in Kirkcudbright. Employment rates stand at 75.3% in Arbroath and 69.6% in Kirkcudbright.
| Indicator | Arbroath | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,940 | 3,420 |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.3 |
| Median Household Income | £35,996 | £28,391 |
| Employment Rate | 75.3% | 69.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.4% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 28.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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