Ayr vs Galston
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Galston is about 26% cheaper on average. Ayr has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ayr edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ayr
£160,929
Galston
£127,807
Crime Rate
Ayr
136.9
Galston
2202.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ayr
93.6%
Galston
68.2%
Avg Download Speed
Ayr
440.2
Galston
335.6
EPC Rating
Ayr
63
Galston
59.4
Median Income
Ayr
£31,793
Galston
£35,177
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Galston more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £127,807 versus £160,929 in Ayr. The most affordable entry point in Ayr is a flat at £96,220, while in Galston it is a flat at £73,235.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 32% pricier in Ayr (£186,156 vs £140,569).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Galston prices grew faster — 102% vs 80%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 136.9 offences per 1,000 people, Ayr is the safer of the two – 1509% lower than Galston's 2,202.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Ayr is other-crime, while in Galston 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 Ayr: 93.6% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 68.2% in Galston.
Ayr School Inspection Breakdown
93.6% of 50 schools (42 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Galston School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ayr | Galston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 50 | 54 |
| Primary | 42 | 47 |
| Secondary | 8 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 93.6% | 68.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Ayr enjoy 440.2 Mbps on average, while Galston lags behind at 335.6 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Ayr and 94% in Galston. Gigabit availability stands at 85.2% in Ayr and 61.7% in Galston.
Ayr is the faster of the two by 31% on average download speed (440 vs 336 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Ayr is band D (score 63), ahead of Galston's band D (score 59.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,341 in Ayr and £1,472 in Galston. 48.5% of homes in Ayr have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.7% in Galston.
Ayr has more energy-efficient housing — 48.5% reach band C or above, vs 40.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Ayr has a population of 62,580 while Galston has 4,740. Median household income is £35,177 in Galston and £31,793 in Ayr. The median age is 43.3 in Ayr and 41.9 in Galston. Employment rates stand at 76.2% in Ayr and 73.9% in Galston.
| Indicator | Ayr | Galston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,580 | 4,740 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 41.9 |
| Median Household Income | £31,793 | £35,177 |
| Employment Rate | 76.2% | 73.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 45.8% | 64.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 30.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ayr and Galston?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ayr or Galston?
Is Ayr or Galston safer?
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