Burntisland vs Dunfermline
Which is better to live in? Distance: 7.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Burntisland is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Dunfermline has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Burntisland edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Burntisland
£170,439
Dunfermline
£170,439
Crime Rate
Burntisland
4461.9
Dunfermline
395.3
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Burntisland
81.8%
Dunfermline
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Burntisland
458.6
Dunfermline
406.5
EPC Rating
Burntisland
53.7
Dunfermline
60.8
Median Income
Burntisland
£26,029
Dunfermline
£34,867
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £170,439, Burntisland undercuts Dunfermline (£170,439) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Burntisland is a flat at £107,206, while in Dunfermline it is a flat at £107,206.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Burntisland (£327,003 vs £327,003).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Burntisland prices grew faster — 127% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandDunfermline has a crime rate of 395.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 1029% lower than Burntisland at 4,461.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Burntisland is other-crime, while in Dunfermline 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 159 schools in Burntisland, 81.8% are in the top two inspection bands. In Dunfermline, which has 159 schools, the figure is 81.8%.
Burntisland School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dunfermline School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Burntisland | Dunfermline |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 159 | 159 |
| Primary | 142 | 142 |
| Secondary | 17 | 17 |
| % Top two bands | 81.8% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Burntisland averages 458.6 Mbps – ahead of Dunfermline's 406.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Burntisland and 97.1% in Dunfermline. Gigabit availability stands at 90% in Burntisland and 78% in Dunfermline.
Burntisland is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (459 vs 407 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Dunfermline, scoring 60.8 on average (band D) compared to 53.7 (band E) in Burntisland. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,384 in Burntisland and £1,533 in Dunfermline. 42.4% of homes in Burntisland have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 38.6% in Dunfermline.
Burntisland has more energy-efficient housing — 42.4% reach band C or above, vs 38.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,867 in Dunfermline and £26,029 in Burntisland. The median age is 39.8 in Burntisland and 42.4 in Dunfermline. Employment rates stand at 76.5% in Burntisland and 72.2% in Dunfermline. Owner-occupancy is 63.7% in Burntisland versus 55.7% in Dunfermline. Burntisland has a population of 6,590 and Dunfermline has 74,380.
| Indicator | Burntisland | Dunfermline |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,590 | 74,380 |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 42.4 |
| Median Household Income | £26,029 | £34,867 |
| Employment Rate | 76.5% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.7% | 55.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.5% | 25.5% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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