Bathgate vs Kirkliston
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Bathgate is about 25% cheaper on average. Bathgate has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bathgate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bathgate
£217,827
Kirkliston
£290,946
Crime Rate
Bathgate
510.5
Kirkliston
11142.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bathgate
91.5%
Kirkliston
91.5%
Avg Download Speed
Bathgate
409.7
Kirkliston
456.4
EPC Rating
Bathgate
59.4
Kirkliston
52.5
Median Income
Bathgate
£30,926
Kirkliston
£24,814
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Bathgate more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £217,827 versus £290,946 in Kirkliston. The most affordable entry point in Bathgate is a flat at £123,221, while in Kirkliston it is a flat at £238,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 52% pricier in Kirkliston (£362,527 vs £175,375).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Bathgate prices grew faster — 142% vs 113%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 510.5 offences per 1,000 people, Bathgate is the safer of the two – 2083% lower than Kirkliston's 11,142 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bathgate is violent-crime, while in Kirkliston it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Bathgate's most common crime is violent crime; in Kirkliston it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandSchool quality favours Bathgate: 91.5% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 91.5% in Kirkliston.
Bathgate School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkliston School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bathgate | Kirkliston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 86 |
| Primary | 73 | 73 |
| Secondary | 13 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 91.5% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Kirkliston enjoy 456.4 Mbps on average, while Bathgate lags behind at 409.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Bathgate and 97% in Kirkliston. Gigabit availability stands at 79.2% in Bathgate and 89.5% in Kirkliston.
Kirkliston is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (456 vs 410 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bathgate is band D (score 59.4), ahead of Kirkliston's band E (score 52.5). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,690 in Bathgate and £1,662 in Kirkliston. 21.7% of homes in Bathgate have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.6% in Kirkliston.
Kirkliston has more energy-efficient housing — 47.6% reach band C or above, vs 21.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bathgate has a population of 28,470 while Kirkliston has 4,740. Median household income is £30,926 in Bathgate and £24,814 in Kirkliston. The median age is 41.9 in Bathgate and 39.3 in Kirkliston. Employment rates stand at 70% in Bathgate and 71% in Kirkliston.
| Indicator | Bathgate | Kirkliston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,470 | 4,740 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 39.3 |
| Median Household Income | £30,926 | £24,814 |
| Employment Rate | 70% | 71% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.4% | 54.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.6% | 23.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bathgate and Kirkliston?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bathgate or Kirkliston?
Is Bathgate or Kirkliston safer?
Which has better schools, Bathgate or Kirkliston?
Which has faster broadband, Bathgate or Kirkliston?
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