Auchinleck vs Darvel
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Auchinleck wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Darvel has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Auchinleck edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Auchinleck
£127,807
Darvel
£127,807
Crime Rate
Auchinleck
2798.4
Darvel
2649.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Auchinleck
68.2%
Darvel
68.2%
Avg Download Speed
Auchinleck
334
Darvel
396.7
EPC Rating
Auchinleck
61.5
Darvel
58.5
Median Income
Auchinleck
£27,619
Darvel
£27,064
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Darvel commands an average of £127,807, compared with £127,807 in Auchinleck – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Auchinleck is a flat at £73,235, while in Darvel it is a flat at £73,235.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Auchinleck (£243,517 vs £243,517).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Auchinleck prices grew faster — 102% vs 102%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Darvel experience less crime overall, with a rate of 2,649.2 per 1,000 versus 2,798.4 per 1,000 in Auchinleck. The most common crime category in Auchinleck is other-crime, while in Darvel 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 Auchinleck, where 68.2% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 68.2% in Darvel. There are 54 schools in Auchinleck and 54 in Darvel.
Auchinleck School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Darvel School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Auchinleck | Darvel |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 54 | 54 |
| Primary | 47 | 47 |
| Secondary | 7 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 68.2% | 68.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 396.7 Mbps in Darvel and 334.0 Mbps in Auchinleck. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.5% of premises in Auchinleck and 97.2% in Darvel. Gigabit availability stands at 61.1% in Auchinleck and 75.8% in Darvel.
Darvel is the faster of the two by 19% on average download speed (397 vs 334 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Auchinleck, scoring 61.5 on average (band D) compared to 58.5 (band D) in Darvel. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,333 in Auchinleck and £1,480 in Darvel. 41.2% of homes in Auchinleck have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 54.3% in Darvel.
Darvel has more energy-efficient housing — 54.3% reach band C or above, vs 41.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £27,619 in Auchinleck and £27,064 in Darvel. The median age is 42.7 in Auchinleck and 41.6 in Darvel. Employment rates stand at 73.8% in Auchinleck and 74.5% in Darvel. Owner-occupancy is 66.8% in Auchinleck versus 62.3% in Darvel. Auchinleck has a population of 3,730 and Darvel has 3,940.
| Indicator | Auchinleck | Darvel |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,730 | 3,940 |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 41.6 |
| Median Household Income | £27,619 | £27,064 |
| Employment Rate | 73.8% | 74.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.8% | 62.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 26.2% | 30.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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