Town comparison
Carlisle vs Gretna
Which is better to live in? 8.8 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Property in Gretna is about 24% cheaper on average. For families, Carlisle edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Carlisle
£201,009
Gretna
£162,680
Crime Rate
Carlisle
N/A
Gretna
5858.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Carlisle
100.0%
Gretna
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Carlisle
457.3
Gretna
100.7
EPC Rating
Carlisle
67.3
Gretna
67.3
Median Income
Carlisle
£31,136
Gretna
£31,136
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Gretna more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £162,680 versus £201,009 in Carlisle. The most affordable entry point in Carlisle is a flat at £110,822, while in Gretna it is a flat at £86,885.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 31% pricier in Carlisle (£323,585 vs £247,236).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Gretna prices grew faster — 92% vs 24%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestCrime rate data is not available for both Carlisle and Gretna at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in North WestSchool quality favours Carlisle: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 72% in Gretna.
Carlisle School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 25 schools (21 primary, 4 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Gretna School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Carlisle | Gretna |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 25 | 108 |
| Primary | 21 | 93 |
| Secondary | 4 | 15 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 72% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Carlisle enjoy 457.3 Mbps on average, while Gretna lags behind at 100.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.2% of premises in Carlisle and 88.1% in Gretna. Gigabit availability stands at 88.9% in Carlisle and 6.8% in Gretna.
Carlisle is the faster of the two by 354% on average download speed (457 vs 101 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Carlisle is band C (score 67.3), ahead of Gretna's band C (score 67.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,436 in Carlisle and £1,436 in Gretna. 50.4% of homes in Carlisle have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 50.4% in Gretna.
Carlisle has more energy-efficient housing — 50.4% reach band C or above, vs 50.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Carlisle has a population of 77,729 while Gretna has 3,040. Median household income is £31,136 in Carlisle and £31,136 in Gretna. The median age is 46.6 in Carlisle and 46.6 in Gretna. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Carlisle and 55.8% in Gretna.
| Indicator | Carlisle | Gretna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,729 | 3,040 |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 46.6 |
| Median Household Income | £31,136 | £31,136 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.8% | 68.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 27.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Carlisle and Gretna?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Carlisle or Gretna?
Is Carlisle or Gretna safer?
Which has better schools, Carlisle or Gretna?
Which has faster broadband, Carlisle or Gretna?
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