Bo'ness vs Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bo'ness wins on house prices with a 3% gap. Bo'ness has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bo'ness edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bo'ness
£165,479
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
£170,439
Crime Rate
Bo'ness
833.5
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
1550.8
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bo'ness
94.7%
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Bo'ness
461.9
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
359
EPC Rating
Bo'ness
47.9
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
55.3
Median Income
Bo'ness
£35,454
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans
£24,860
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans commands an average of £170,439, compared with £165,479 in Bo'ness – a difference of 3%. The most affordable entry point in Bo'ness is a flat at £99,408, while in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans it is a flat at £107,206.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 7% pricier in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans (£107,206 vs £99,408).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Bo'ness prices grew faster — 144% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Bo'ness experience less crime overall, with a rate of 833.5 per 1,000 versus 1,550.8 per 1,000 in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. The most common crime category in Bo'ness is other-crime, while in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans 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 ScotlandFamilies may prefer Bo'ness, where 94.7% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 81.8% in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. There are 59 schools in Bo'ness and 159 in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans.
Bo'ness School Inspection Breakdown
94.7% of 59 schools (50 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bo'ness | Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 159 |
| Primary | 50 | 142 |
| Secondary | 9 | 17 |
| % Top two bands | 94.7% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 461.9 Mbps in Bo'ness and 359.0 Mbps in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.8% of premises in Bo'ness and 94.7% in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. Gigabit availability stands at 90.9% in Bo'ness and 67.2% in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans.
Bo'ness is the faster of the two by 29% on average download speed (462 vs 359 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 55.3 (D), while Bo'ness averages 47.9 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,490 in Bo'ness and £1,673 in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. 38.6% of homes in Bo'ness have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 48% in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans.
Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans has more energy-efficient housing — 48% reach band C or above, vs 38.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,454 in Bo'ness and £24,860 in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. The median age is 37.6 in Bo'ness and 40.4 in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. Owner-occupancy is 55.5% in Bo'ness versus 57.1% in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans. Employment rates stand at 76% in Bo'ness and 69.4% in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans.
| Indicator | Bo'ness | Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Lumphinnans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,760 | 18,960 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 40.4 |
| Median Household Income | £35,454 | £24,860 |
| Employment Rate | 76% | 69.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 55.5% | 57.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.6% | 24.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bo'ness and Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bo'ness or Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans?
Is Bo'ness or Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans safer?
Which has better schools, Bo'ness or Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans?
Which has faster broadband, Bo'ness or Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly And Lumphinnans?
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