Bathgate vs Livingston
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Bathgate is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Livingston has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bathgate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bathgate
£217,827
Livingston
£217,827
Crime Rate
Bathgate
510.5
Livingston
220.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bathgate
91.5%
Livingston
91.5%
Avg Download Speed
Bathgate
409.7
Livingston
434.9
EPC Rating
Bathgate
59.4
Livingston
58.3
Median Income
Bathgate
£30,926
Livingston
£33,323
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Livingston commands an average of £217,827, compared with £217,827 in Bathgate – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Bathgate is a flat at £123,221, while in Livingston it is a flat at £123,221.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Bathgate (£390,835 vs £390,835).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Bathgate prices grew faster — 142% vs 142%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandLivingston has a crime rate of 220.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 131% lower than Bathgate at 510.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Bathgate is violent-crime, while in Livingston it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandFamilies may prefer Bathgate, where 91.5% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 91.5% in Livingston. There are 86 schools in Bathgate and 86 in Livingston.
Bathgate School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Livingston School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bathgate | Livingston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 86 |
| Primary | 73 | 73 |
| Secondary | 13 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 91.5% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 434.9 Mbps in Livingston and 409.7 Mbps in Bathgate. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Bathgate and 94.9% in Livingston. Gigabit availability stands at 79.2% in Bathgate and 84.3% in Livingston.
Livingston is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (435 vs 410 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Bathgate leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 59.4 (D), while Livingston averages 58.3 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,690 in Bathgate and £1,486 in Livingston. 21.7% of homes in Bathgate have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 50.2% in Livingston.
Livingston has more energy-efficient housing — 50.2% reach band C or above, vs 21.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,323 in Livingston and £30,926 in Bathgate. The median age is 41.9 in Bathgate and 41.5 in Livingston. Owner-occupancy is 64.4% in Bathgate versus 63.7% in Livingston. Employment rates stand at 70% in Bathgate and 73.6% in Livingston.
| Indicator | Bathgate | Livingston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,470 | 65,810 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 41.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,926 | £33,323 |
| Employment Rate | 70% | 73.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.4% | 63.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.6% | 34.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bathgate and Livingston?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bathgate or Livingston?
Is Bathgate or Livingston safer?
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