Banchory vs Portlethen
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Banchory wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Portlethen has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Banchory edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Banchory
£200,159
Portlethen
£200,159
Crime Rate
Banchory
1794.7
Portlethen
1492.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Banchory
73.6%
Portlethen
73.6%
Avg Download Speed
Banchory
100.8
Portlethen
438.7
EPC Rating
Banchory
48.9
Portlethen
45.6
Median Income
Banchory
£35,193
Portlethen
£29,684
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Portlethen commands an average of £200,159, compared with £200,159 in Banchory – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Banchory is a flat at £102,989, while in Portlethen it is a flat at £102,989.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Banchory (£291,894 vs £291,894).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Banchory prices grew faster — 112% vs 112%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Portlethen experience less crime overall, with a rate of 1,492.6 per 1,000 versus 1,794.7 per 1,000 in Banchory. The most common crime category in Banchory is other-crime, while in Portlethen 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 Banchory, where 73.6% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 73.6% in Portlethen. There are 165 schools in Banchory and 165 in Portlethen.
Banchory School Inspection Breakdown
73.6% of 165 schools (149 primary, 16 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Portlethen School Inspection Breakdown
73.6% of 165 schools (149 primary, 16 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Banchory | Portlethen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 165 | 165 |
| Primary | 149 | 149 |
| Secondary | 16 | 16 |
| % Top two bands | 73.6% | 73.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 438.7 Mbps in Portlethen and 100.8 Mbps in Banchory. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 65.8% of premises in Banchory and 95.2% in Portlethen. Gigabit availability stands at 10.5% in Banchory and 86.2% in Portlethen.
Portlethen is the faster of the two by 335% on average download speed (439 vs 101 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Banchory leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 48.9 (E), while Portlethen averages 45.6 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,639 in Banchory and £1,521 in Portlethen. 30.2% of homes in Banchory have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.8% in Portlethen.
Portlethen has more energy-efficient housing — 40.8% reach band C or above, vs 30.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,193 in Banchory and £29,684 in Portlethen. The median age is 38 in Banchory and 36.7 in Portlethen. Owner-occupancy is 64.5% in Banchory versus 58.3% in Portlethen. Employment rates stand at 71.6% in Banchory and 77.2% in Portlethen.
| Indicator | Banchory | Portlethen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,560 | 9,090 |
| Median Age | 38 | 36.7 |
| Median Household Income | £35,193 | £29,684 |
| Employment Rate | 71.6% | 77.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.5% | 58.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 28.1% | 26.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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