Town comparison
Brechin vs Laurencekirk
Which is better to live in? 9.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Brechin wins on house prices with a 17% gap. Brechin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Brechin edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Brechin
£167,088
Laurencekirk
£200,159
Crime Rate
Brechin
960.9
Laurencekirk
4463.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Brechin
91.1%
Laurencekirk
73.6%
Avg Download Speed
Brechin
62.7
Laurencekirk
227.7
EPC Rating
Brechin
66.8
Laurencekirk
54
Median Income
Brechin
£25,022
Laurencekirk
£33,879
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £167,088, Brechin undercuts Laurencekirk (£200,159) by around 17% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Brechin is a flat at £94,981, while in Laurencekirk it is a flat at £102,989.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 8% pricier in Laurencekirk (£102,989 vs £94,981).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Brechin prices grew faster — 127% vs 112%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Brechin experience less crime overall, with a rate of 960.9 per 1,000 versus 4,463.2 per 1,000 in Laurencekirk. The most common crime category in Brechin is other-crime, while in Laurencekirk 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 Brechin, 91.1% are in the top two inspection bands. In Laurencekirk, which has 165 schools, the figure is 73.6%.
Brechin School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Laurencekirk School Inspection Breakdown
73.6% of 165 schools (149 primary, 16 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Brechin | Laurencekirk |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 165 |
| Primary | 51 | 149 |
| Secondary | 8 | 16 |
| % Top two bands | 91.1% | 73.6% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Laurencekirk averages 227.7 Mbps – ahead of Brechin's 62.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 65.8% of premises in Brechin and 68.5% in Laurencekirk. Gigabit availability stands at 1.3% in Brechin and 40.3% in Laurencekirk.
Laurencekirk is the faster of the two by 263% on average download speed (228 vs 63 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Brechin leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 66.8 (D), while Laurencekirk averages 54 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,284 in Brechin and £1,749 in Laurencekirk. 29.3% of homes in Brechin have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.4% in Laurencekirk.
Laurencekirk has more energy-efficient housing — 53.4% reach band C or above, vs 29.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,879 in Laurencekirk and £25,022 in Brechin. The median age is 44.7 in Brechin and 39.9 in Laurencekirk. Owner-occupancy is 67.3% in Brechin versus 60.7% in Laurencekirk. Employment rates stand at 75.1% in Brechin and 70.9% in Laurencekirk.
| Indicator | Brechin | Laurencekirk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,400 | 3,040 |
| Median Age | 44.7 | 39.9 |
| Median Household Income | £25,022 | £33,879 |
| Employment Rate | 75.1% | 70.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.3% | 60.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19% | 34.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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