Bathgate vs South Queensferry
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.9 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bathgate wins on house prices with a 25% gap. Bathgate has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bathgate edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bathgate
£217,827
South Queensferry
£290,946
Crime Rate
Bathgate
510.5
South Queensferry
5648.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bathgate
91.5%
South Queensferry
91.5%
Avg Download Speed
Bathgate
409.7
South Queensferry
453.7
EPC Rating
Bathgate
59.4
South Queensferry
55.6
Median Income
Bathgate
£30,926
South Queensferry
£27,874
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in South Queensferry commands an average of £290,946, compared with £217,827 in Bathgate – a difference of 25%. The most affordable entry point in Bathgate is a flat at £123,221, while in South Queensferry it is a flat at £238,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 52% pricier in South Queensferry (£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 ScotlandResidents of Bathgate experience less crime overall, with a rate of 510.5 per 1,000 versus 5,648.4 per 1,000 in South Queensferry. The most common crime category in Bathgate is violent-crime, while in South Queensferry it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Bathgate's most common crime is violent crime; in South Queensferry 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 91.5% in South Queensferry. There are 86 schools in Bathgate and 86 in South Queensferry.
Bathgate School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
South Queensferry School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bathgate | South Queensferry |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 86 |
| Primary | 73 | 73 |
| Secondary | 13 | 13 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 91.5% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 453.7 Mbps in South Queensferry and 409.7 Mbps in Bathgate. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Bathgate and 97.9% in South Queensferry. Gigabit availability stands at 79.2% in Bathgate and 89.3% in South Queensferry.
South Queensferry is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (454 vs 410 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Bathgate, scoring 59.4 on average (band D) compared to 55.6 (band D) in South Queensferry. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,690 in Bathgate and £1,565 in South Queensferry. 21.7% of homes in Bathgate have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 48.6% in South Queensferry.
South Queensferry has more energy-efficient housing — 48.6% reach band C or above, vs 21.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,926 in Bathgate and £27,874 in South Queensferry. The median age is 41.9 in Bathgate and 40.5 in South Queensferry. Employment rates stand at 70% in Bathgate and 69.9% in South Queensferry. Owner-occupancy is 64.4% in Bathgate versus 61.2% in South Queensferry. Bathgate has a population of 28,470 and South Queensferry has 9,350.
| Indicator | Bathgate | South Queensferry |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,470 | 9,350 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 40.5 |
| Median Household Income | £30,926 | £27,874 |
| Employment Rate | 70% | 69.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.4% | 61.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 34.6% | 32.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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