Town comparison
Bo'ness vs Falkirk
Which is better to live in? 6.3 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Bo'ness wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Falkirk has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bo'ness edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bo'ness
£165,479
Falkirk
£165,479
Crime Rate
Bo'ness
833.5
Falkirk
119.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bo'ness
94.7%
Falkirk
94.7%
Avg Download Speed
Bo'ness
461.9
Falkirk
432
EPC Rating
Bo'ness
47.9
Falkirk
62
Median Income
Bo'ness
£35,454
Falkirk
£26,354
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Falkirk commands an average of £165,479, compared with £165,479 in Bo'ness – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Bo'ness is a flat at £99,408, while in Falkirk it is a flat at £99,408.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Bo'ness (£329,861 vs £329,861).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Bo'ness prices grew faster — 144% vs 144%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Falkirk experience less crime overall, with a rate of 119.4 per 1,000 versus 833.5 per 1,000 in Bo'ness. The most common crime category in Bo'ness is other-crime, while in Falkirk 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 94.7% in Falkirk. There are 59 schools in Bo'ness and 59 in Falkirk.
Bo'ness School Inspection Breakdown
94.7% of 59 schools (50 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Falkirk School Inspection Breakdown
94.7% of 59 schools (50 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bo'ness | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 50 | 50 |
| Secondary | 9 | 9 |
| % Top two bands | 94.7% | 94.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 461.9 Mbps in Bo'ness and 432.0 Mbps in Falkirk. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.8% of premises in Bo'ness and 94% in Falkirk. Gigabit availability stands at 90.9% in Bo'ness and 84.7% in Falkirk.
Bo'ness is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (462 vs 432 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Falkirk, scoring 62 on average (band D) compared to 47.9 (band E) in Bo'ness. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,490 in Bo'ness and £1,311 in Falkirk. 38.6% of homes in Bo'ness have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 31.3% in Falkirk.
Bo'ness has more energy-efficient housing — 38.6% reach band C or above, vs 31.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,454 in Bo'ness and £26,354 in Falkirk. The median age is 37.6 in Bo'ness and 42.9 in Falkirk. Employment rates stand at 76% in Bo'ness and 78% in Falkirk. Owner-occupancy is 55.5% in Bo'ness versus 60.3% in Falkirk. Bo'ness has a population of 14,760 and Falkirk has 103,030.
| Indicator | Bo'ness | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,760 | 103,030 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 42.9 |
| Median Household Income | £35,454 | £26,354 |
| Employment Rate | 76% | 78% |
| Owner Occupied | 55.5% | 60.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.6% | 35.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bo'ness and Falkirk?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bo'ness or Falkirk?
Is Bo'ness or Falkirk safer?
Which has better schools, Bo'ness or Falkirk?
Which has faster broadband, Bo'ness or Falkirk?
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