Auchinleck vs Ayr
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Auchinleck is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 21% lower. Ayr has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ayr edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Auchinleck
£127,807
Ayr
£160,929
Crime Rate
Auchinleck
2798.4
Ayr
136.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Auchinleck
68.2%
Ayr
93.6%
Avg Download Speed
Auchinleck
334
Ayr
440.2
EPC Rating
Auchinleck
61.5
Ayr
63
Median Income
Auchinleck
£27,619
Ayr
£31,793
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Ayr commands an average of £160,929, compared with £127,807 in Auchinleck – a difference of 21%. The most affordable entry point in Auchinleck is a flat at £73,235, while in Ayr it is a flat at £96,220.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 24% pricier in Ayr (£186,156 vs £140,569).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Auchinleck prices grew faster — 102% vs 80%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandAyr has a crime rate of 136.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 1944% lower than Auchinleck at 2,798.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Auchinleck is other-crime, while in Ayr 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 Ayr, where 93.6% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 68.2% in Auchinleck. There are 54 schools in Auchinleck and 50 in Ayr.
Auchinleck School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Ayr School Inspection Breakdown
93.6% of 50 schools (42 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Auchinleck | Ayr |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 54 | 50 |
| Primary | 47 | 42 |
| Secondary | 7 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 68.2% | 93.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 440.2 Mbps in Ayr and 334.0 Mbps in Auchinleck. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Auchinleck and 99.2% in Ayr. Gigabit availability stands at 61.1% in Auchinleck and 85.2% in Ayr.
Ayr is the faster of the two by 32% on average download speed (440 vs 334 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Ayr leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 63 (D), while Auchinleck averages 61.5 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,333 in Auchinleck and £1,341 in Ayr. 41.2% of homes in Auchinleck have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 48.5% in Ayr.
Ayr has more energy-efficient housing — 48.5% reach band C or above, vs 41.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,793 in Ayr and £27,619 in Auchinleck. The median age is 42.7 in Auchinleck and 43.3 in Ayr. Owner-occupancy is 66.8% in Auchinleck versus 45.8% in Ayr. Employment rates stand at 73.8% in Auchinleck and 76.2% in Ayr.
| Indicator | Auchinleck | Ayr |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,730 | 62,580 |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 43.3 |
| Median Household Income | £27,619 | £31,793 |
| Employment Rate | 73.8% | 76.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.8% | 45.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.2% | 37.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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