Ayr vs Irvine
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Irvine wins on house prices with a 22% gap. Ayr has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Ayr edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Ayr
£160,929
Irvine
£132,002
Crime Rate
Ayr
136.9
Irvine
315.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ayr
93.6%
Irvine
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Ayr
440.2
Irvine
434.7
EPC Rating
Ayr
63
Irvine
59.2
Median Income
Ayr
£31,793
Irvine
£25,202
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £132,002, Irvine undercuts Ayr (£160,929) by around 22% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Ayr is a flat at £96,220, while in Irvine it is a flat at £84,787.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 22% pricier in Ayr (£186,156 vs £153,043).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Irvine prices grew faster — 105% vs 80%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Ayr experience less crime overall, with a rate of 136.9 per 1,000 versus 315.2 per 1,000 in Irvine. The most common crime category in Ayr is other-crime, while in Irvine 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 ScotlandOf the 50 schools in Ayr, 93.6% are in the top two inspection bands. In Irvine, which has 59 schools, the figure is 90.9%.
Ayr School Inspection Breakdown
93.6% of 50 schools (42 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Irvine School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ayr | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 50 | 59 |
| Primary | 42 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 93.6% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Ayr averages 440.2 Mbps – ahead of Irvine's 434.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Ayr and 96% in Irvine. Gigabit availability stands at 85.2% in Ayr and 84.9% in Irvine.
Ayr is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (440 vs 435 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Ayr leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 63 (D), while Irvine averages 59.2 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,341 in Ayr and £1,653 in Irvine. 48.5% of homes in Ayr have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 44.4% in Irvine.
Ayr has more energy-efficient housing — 48.5% reach band C or above, vs 44.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,793 in Ayr and £25,202 in Irvine. The median age is 43.3 in Ayr and 41.8 in Irvine. Owner-occupancy is 45.8% in Ayr versus 60.8% in Irvine. Employment rates stand at 76.2% in Ayr and 69.9% in Irvine.
| Indicator | Ayr | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,580 | 37,630 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 41.8 |
| Median Household Income | £31,793 | £25,202 |
| Employment Rate | 76.2% | 69.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 45.8% | 60.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 27% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ayr and Irvine?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ayr or Irvine?
Is Ayr or Irvine safer?
Which has better schools, Ayr or Irvine?
Which has faster broadband, Ayr or Irvine?
Keep exploring