Town comparison
Brechin vs Kirriemuir
Which is better to live in? 13.9 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Overall, Brechin offers lower property prices by roughly 0%. Brechin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brechin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brechin
£167,088
Kirriemuir
£167,088
Crime Rate
Brechin
960.9
Kirriemuir
1161.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brechin
91.1%
Kirriemuir
91.1%
Avg Download Speed
Brechin
62.7
Kirriemuir
250.4
EPC Rating
Brechin
66.8
Kirriemuir
60.8
Median Income
Brechin
£25,022
Kirriemuir
£26,925
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandThe average house price in Brechin is £167,088, which is 0% less than Kirriemuir at £167,088. The most affordable entry point in Brechin is a flat at £94,981, while in Kirriemuir it is a flat at £94,981.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Brechin (£290,784 vs £290,784).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Brechin prices grew faster — 127% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandCrime is lower in Brechin (960.9 per 1,000) compared to Kirriemuir (1,161.9 per 1,000), a 21% difference. The most common crime category in Brechin is other-crime, while in Kirriemuir 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 ScotlandBrechin has 91.1% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 91.1% in Kirriemuir. Brechin has 59 schools in total, while Kirriemuir has 59.
Brechin School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirriemuir School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Brechin | Kirriemuir |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 91.1% | 91.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Kirriemuir offers faster average downloads at 250.4 Mbps, compared to 62.7 Mbps in Brechin. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 65.8% of premises in Brechin and 69.6% in Kirriemuir. Gigabit availability stands at 1.3% in Brechin and 45.4% in Kirriemuir.
Kirriemuir is the faster of the two by 299% on average download speed (250 vs 63 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Brechin are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 66.8 (band D) versus 60.8 (band D) in Kirriemuir. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,284 in Brechin and £1,312 in Kirriemuir. 29.3% of homes in Brechin have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.6% in Kirriemuir.
Kirriemuir has more energy-efficient housing — 47.6% reach band C or above, vs 29.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £26,925 in Kirriemuir and £25,022 in Brechin. The median age is 44.7 in Brechin and 42.4 in Kirriemuir. Employment rates stand at 75.1% in Brechin and 76% in Kirriemuir. Owner-occupancy is 67.3% in Brechin versus 52.3% in Kirriemuir.
| Indicator | Brechin | Kirriemuir |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,400 | 6,120 |
| Median Age | 44.7 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £25,022 | £26,925 |
| Employment Rate | 75.1% | 76% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.3% | 52.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19% | 30.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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