Town comparison
Beith vs Kilbirnie
Which is better to live in? 2.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Beith wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Kilbirnie has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Beith edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Beith
£132,002
Kilbirnie
£132,002
Crime Rate
Beith
1963.9
Kilbirnie
1616.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Beith
90.9%
Kilbirnie
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Beith
388.8
Kilbirnie
429.9
EPC Rating
Beith
58.8
Kilbirnie
54.8
Median Income
Beith
£32,455
Kilbirnie
£30,638
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £132,002, Beith undercuts Kilbirnie (£132,002) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Beith is a flat at £84,787, while in Kilbirnie 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 Kilbirnie experience less crime overall, with a rate of 1,616.1 per 1,000 versus 1,963.9 per 1,000 in Beith. The most common crime category in Beith is other-crime, while in Kilbirnie 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 Kilbirnie, 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.
Kilbirnie School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Beith | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Kilbirnie averages 429.9 Mbps – ahead of Beith's 388.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 83.7% of premises in Beith and 95.1% in Kilbirnie. Gigabit availability stands at 76% in Beith and 84% in Kilbirnie.
Kilbirnie is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (430 vs 389 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Beith leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 58.8 (D), while Kilbirnie averages 54.8 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,365 in Beith and £1,593 in Kilbirnie. 54.3% of homes in Beith have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 34.2% in Kilbirnie.
Beith has more energy-efficient housing — 54.3% reach band C or above, vs 34.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,455 in Beith and £30,638 in Kilbirnie. The median age is 41.7 in Beith and 40.2 in Kilbirnie. Owner-occupancy is 61.7% in Beith versus 57.3% in Kilbirnie. Employment rates stand at 77.5% in Beith and 72.2% in Kilbirnie.
| Indicator | Beith | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,040 | 7,340 |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 40.2 |
| Median Household Income | £32,455 | £30,638 |
| Employment Rate | 77.5% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 61.7% | 57.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 25% | 36.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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