Carnoustie vs Dundee
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Dundee is about 20% cheaper on average. Dundee has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Carnoustie edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Carnoustie
£167,088
Dundee
£139,483
Crime Rate
Carnoustie
626.0
Dundee
107.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Carnoustie
91.1%
Dundee
66.7%
Avg Download Speed
Carnoustie
395.5
Dundee
465.6
EPC Rating
Carnoustie
65.9
Dundee
67
Median Income
Carnoustie
£30,053
Dundee
£25,772
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Dundee more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £139,483 versus £167,088 in Carnoustie. The most affordable entry point in Carnoustie is a flat at £94,981, while in Dundee it is a flat at £98,372.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 4% pricier in Carnoustie (£188,195 vs £181,290).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Carnoustie prices grew faster — 127% vs 118%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 107.4 offences per 1,000 people, Dundee is the safer of the two – 483% lower than Carnoustie's 626 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Carnoustie is other-crime, while in Dundee 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 Carnoustie: 91.1% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 66.7% in Dundee.
Carnoustie School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Dundee School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 43 schools (35 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Carnoustie | Dundee |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 43 |
| Primary | 51 | 35 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 91.1% | 66.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Dundee enjoy 465.6 Mbps on average, while Carnoustie lags behind at 395.5 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.1% of premises in Carnoustie and 96.2% in Dundee. Gigabit availability stands at 76.2% in Carnoustie and 92.3% in Dundee.
Dundee is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (466 vs 396 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Dundee is band D (score 67), ahead of Carnoustie's band D (score 65.9). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,396 in Carnoustie and £1,547 in Dundee. 54.3% of homes in Carnoustie have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 61.2% in Dundee.
Dundee has more energy-efficient housing — 61.2% reach band C or above, vs 54.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Carnoustie has a population of 11,360 while Dundee has 158,200. Median household income is £30,053 in Carnoustie and £25,772 in Dundee. The median age is 44.3 in Carnoustie and 44.8 in Dundee. Employment rates stand at 74.3% in Carnoustie and 70.5% in Dundee.
| Indicator | Carnoustie | Dundee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,360 | 158,200 |
| Median Age | 44.3 | 44.8 |
| Median Household Income | £30,053 | £25,772 |
| Employment Rate | 74.3% | 70.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 58.7% | 59.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.8% | 24.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Carnoustie and Dundee?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Carnoustie or Dundee?
Is Carnoustie or Dundee safer?
Which has better schools, Carnoustie or Dundee?
Which has faster broadband, Carnoustie or Dundee?
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