Ayr vs Kilwinning
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Kilwinning is about 22% 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
Kilwinning
£132,002
Crime Rate
Ayr
136.9
Kilwinning
720.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Ayr
93.6%
Kilwinning
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Ayr
440.2
Kilwinning
427.3
EPC Rating
Ayr
63
Kilwinning
66.1
Median Income
Ayr
£31,793
Kilwinning
£32,130
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandThe average house price in Kilwinning is £132,002, which is 22% less than Ayr at £160,929. The most affordable entry point in Ayr is a flat at £96,220, while in Kilwinning 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, Kilwinning prices grew faster — 105% vs 80%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 136.9 offences per 1,000 people, Ayr is the safer of the two – 426% lower than Kilwinning's 720.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Ayr is other-crime, while in Kilwinning 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 ScotlandAyr has 93.6% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 90.9% in Kilwinning. Ayr has 50 schools in total, while Kilwinning has 59.
Ayr School Inspection Breakdown
93.6% of 50 schools (42 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kilwinning School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Ayr | Kilwinning |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 50 | 59 |
| Primary | 42 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 93.6% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Ayr offers faster average downloads at 440.2 Mbps, compared to 427.3 Mbps in Kilwinning. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Ayr and 98.8% in Kilwinning. Gigabit availability stands at 85.2% in Ayr and 82.8% in Kilwinning.
Ayr is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (440 vs 427 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Kilwinning are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 66.1 (band D) versus 63 (band D) in Ayr. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,341 in Ayr and £1,595 in Kilwinning. 48.5% of homes in Ayr have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 51.5% in Kilwinning.
Kilwinning has more energy-efficient housing — 51.5% reach band C or above, vs 48.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,130 in Kilwinning and £31,793 in Ayr. The median age is 43.3 in Ayr and 44.4 in Kilwinning. Employment rates stand at 76.2% in Ayr and 72.3% in Kilwinning. Owner-occupancy is 45.8% in Ayr versus 56.8% in Kilwinning.
| Indicator | Ayr | Kilwinning |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,580 | 16,460 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 44.4 |
| Median Household Income | £31,793 | £32,130 |
| Employment Rate | 76.2% | 72.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 45.8% | 56.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 37.3% | 25.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Ayr and Kilwinning?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Ayr or Kilwinning?
Is Ayr or Kilwinning safer?
Which has better schools, Ayr or Kilwinning?
Which has faster broadband, Ayr or Kilwinning?
Keep exploring