Beith vs Irvine
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.0 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Beith wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Irvine has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Beith edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Beith
£132,002
Irvine
£132,002
Crime Rate
Beith
1963.9
Irvine
315.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Beith
90.9%
Irvine
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Beith
388.8
Irvine
434.7
EPC Rating
Beith
58.8
Irvine
59.2
Median Income
Beith
£32,455
Irvine
£25,202
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £132,002, Beith undercuts Irvine (£132,002) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Beith is a flat at £84,787, while in Irvine it is a flat at £84,787.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Beith (£258,273 vs £258,273).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Beith prices grew faster — 105% vs 105%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Irvine experience less crime overall, with a rate of 315.2 per 1,000 versus 1,963.9 per 1,000 in Beith. The most common crime category in Beith is other-crime, while in Irvine 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 ScotlandOf the 59 schools in Beith, 90.9% are in the top two inspection bands. In Irvine, which has 59 schools, the figure is 90.9%.
Beith School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Irvine School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Beith | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Irvine averages 434.7 Mbps – ahead of Beith's 388.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 83.7% of premises in Beith and 96% in Irvine. Gigabit availability stands at 76% in Beith and 84.9% in Irvine.
Irvine is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (435 vs 389 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Irvine leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 59.2 (D), while Beith averages 58.8 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,365 in Beith and £1,653 in Irvine. 54.3% of homes in Beith have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 44.4% in Irvine.
Beith has more energy-efficient housing — 54.3% reach band C or above, vs 44.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,455 in Beith and £25,202 in Irvine. The median age is 41.7 in Beith and 41.8 in Irvine. Owner-occupancy is 61.7% in Beith versus 60.8% in Irvine. Employment rates stand at 77.5% in Beith and 69.9% in Irvine.
| Indicator | Beith | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,040 | 37,630 |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 41.8 |
| Median Household Income | £32,455 | £25,202 |
| Employment Rate | 77.5% | 69.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 61.7% | 60.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 25% | 27% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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