Armadale vs Kirkwall
Which is better to live in? Distance: 214.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Kirkwall is about 0% cheaper on average. Kirkwall has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Armadale edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Armadale
£217,827
Kirkwall
£217,742
Crime Rate
Armadale
1158.2
Kirkwall
145.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Armadale
91.5%
Kirkwall
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Armadale
409.7
Kirkwall
104.4
EPC Rating
Armadale
68.9
Kirkwall
52.6
Median Income
Armadale
£31,942
Kirkwall
£35,483
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Kirkwall more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £217,742 versus £217,827 in Armadale. The most affordable entry point in Armadale is a flat at £123,221, while in Kirkwall it is a flat at £114,443.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 36% pricier in Armadale (£390,835 vs £287,669).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Kirkwall prices grew faster — 257% vs 142%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 145.1 offences per 1,000 people, Kirkwall is the safer of the two – 698% lower than Armadale's 1,158.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Armadale is violent-crime, while in Kirkwall it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Armadale's most common crime is violent crime; in Kirkwall it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandSchool quality favours Armadale: 91.5% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 75% in Kirkwall.
Armadale School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkwall School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 22 schools (18 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Armadale | Kirkwall |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 22 |
| Primary | 73 | 18 |
| Secondary | 13 | 4 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Armadale enjoy 409.7 Mbps on average, while Kirkwall lags behind at 104.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Armadale and 97.7% in Kirkwall. Gigabit availability stands at 79.2% in Armadale and 6.1% in Kirkwall.
Armadale is the faster of the two by 292% on average download speed (410 vs 104 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Armadale is band D (score 68.9), ahead of Kirkwall's band E (score 52.6). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,321 in Armadale and £1,688 in Kirkwall. 44.6% of homes in Armadale have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 55.7% in Kirkwall.
Kirkwall has more energy-efficient housing — 55.7% reach band C or above, vs 44.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Armadale has a population of 12,550 while Kirkwall has 7,420. Median household income is £35,483 in Kirkwall and £31,942 in Armadale. The median age is 45.5 in Armadale and 39.3 in Kirkwall. Employment rates stand at 76.2% in Armadale and 68.3% in Kirkwall.
| Indicator | Armadale | Kirkwall |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,550 | 7,420 |
| Median Age | 45.5 | 39.3 |
| Median Household Income | £31,942 | £35,483 |
| Employment Rate | 76.2% | 68.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 57.4% | 65.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33% | 24.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Armadale and Kirkwall?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Armadale or Kirkwall?
Is Armadale or Kirkwall safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Armadale or Kirkwall?
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