Buckie vs Elgin
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Buckie is about 0% cheaper on average. Elgin has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Buckie edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Buckie
£193,428
Elgin
£193,428
Crime Rate
Buckie
730.1
Elgin
258.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Buckie
66.0%
Elgin
66.0%
Avg Download Speed
Buckie
303.1
Elgin
363.7
EPC Rating
Buckie
61.4
Elgin
63.6
Median Income
Buckie
£32,719
Elgin
£32,262
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Buckie more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £193,428 versus £193,428 in Elgin. The most affordable entry point in Buckie is a flat at £108,210, while in Elgin it is a flat at £108,210.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Buckie (£297,544 vs £297,544).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Buckie prices grew faster — 150% vs 150%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 258.3 offences per 1,000 people, Elgin is the safer of the two – 183% lower than Buckie's 730.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Buckie is other-crime, while in Elgin 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 ScotlandSchool quality favours Buckie: 66% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 66% in Elgin.
Buckie School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Elgin School Inspection Breakdown
66% of 52 schools (44 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Buckie | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 52 | 52 |
| Primary | 44 | 44 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 66% | 66% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Elgin enjoy 363.7 Mbps on average, while Buckie lags behind at 303.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 84.6% of premises in Buckie and 91.6% in Elgin. Gigabit availability stands at 55.5% in Buckie and 68.6% in Elgin.
Elgin is the faster of the two by 20% on average download speed (364 vs 303 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Elgin is band D (score 63.6), ahead of Buckie's band D (score 61.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,538 in Buckie and £1,390 in Elgin. 52.7% of homes in Buckie have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 39.5% in Elgin.
Buckie has more energy-efficient housing — 52.7% reach band C or above, vs 39.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Buckie has a population of 8,760 while Elgin has 24,760. Median household income is £32,719 in Buckie and £32,262 in Elgin. The median age is 42.7 in Buckie and 43.5 in Elgin. Employment rates stand at 65.6% in Buckie and 77% in Elgin.
| Indicator | Buckie | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,760 | 24,760 |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 43.5 |
| Median Household Income | £32,719 | £32,262 |
| Employment Rate | 65.6% | 77% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.8% | 57.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 38.2% | 25.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Buckie and Elgin?
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