Bathgate vs Dunfermline
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Dunfermline is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 28% lower. Dunfermline has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bathgate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bathgate
£217,827
Dunfermline
£170,439
Crime Rate
Bathgate
510.5
Dunfermline
395.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bathgate
91.5%
Dunfermline
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Bathgate
409.7
Dunfermline
406.5
EPC Rating
Bathgate
59.4
Dunfermline
60.8
Median Income
Bathgate
£30,926
Dunfermline
£34,867
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Bathgate commands an average of £217,827, compared with £170,439 in Dunfermline – a difference of 28%. The most affordable entry point in Bathgate is a flat at £123,221, while in Dunfermline it is a flat at £107,206.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 20% pricier in Bathgate (£390,835 vs £327,003).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Bathgate prices grew faster — 142% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandDunfermline has a crime rate of 395.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 29% lower than Bathgate at 510.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bathgate is violent-crime, while in Dunfermline it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Bathgate's most common crime is violent crime; in Dunfermline it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Bathgate, where 91.5% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 81.8% in Dunfermline. There are 86 schools in Bathgate and 159 in Dunfermline.
Bathgate School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dunfermline School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bathgate | Dunfermline |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 159 |
| Primary | 73 | 142 |
| Secondary | 13 | 17 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 409.7 Mbps in Bathgate and 406.5 Mbps in Dunfermline. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Bathgate and 97.1% in Dunfermline. Gigabit availability stands at 79.2% in Bathgate and 78% in Dunfermline.
Bathgate is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (410 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Dunfermline, scoring 60.8 on average (band D) compared to 59.4 (band D) in Bathgate. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,690 in Bathgate and £1,533 in Dunfermline. 21.7% of homes in Bathgate have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 38.6% in Dunfermline.
Dunfermline has more energy-efficient housing — 38.6% reach band C or above, vs 21.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,867 in Dunfermline and £30,926 in Bathgate. The median age is 41.9 in Bathgate and 42.4 in Dunfermline. Employment rates stand at 70% in Bathgate and 72.2% in Dunfermline. Owner-occupancy is 64.4% in Bathgate versus 55.7% in Dunfermline. Bathgate has a population of 28,470 and Dunfermline has 74,380.
| Indicator | Bathgate | Dunfermline |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,470 | 74,380 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £30,926 | £34,867 |
| Employment Rate | 70% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.4% | 55.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.6% | 25.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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