Cockenzie vs Edinburgh
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Cockenzie is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 3% lower. Edinburgh has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Edinburgh edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cockenzie
£281,427
Edinburgh
£290,946
Crime Rate
Cockenzie
1285.6
Edinburgh
103.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cockenzie
71.4%
Edinburgh
74.3%
Avg Download Speed
Cockenzie
465.7
Edinburgh
434.3
EPC Rating
Cockenzie
59.2
Edinburgh
57.6
Median Income
Cockenzie
£25,528
Edinburgh
£33,529
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Edinburgh commands an average of £290,946, compared with £281,427 in Cockenzie – a difference of 3%. The most affordable entry point in Cockenzie is a flat at £164,424, while in Edinburgh it is a flat at £238,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 31% pricier in Edinburgh (£238,069 vs £164,424).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Cockenzie prices grew faster — 127% vs 113%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandEdinburgh has a crime rate of 103.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 1147% lower than Cockenzie at 1,285.6 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cockenzie is other-crime, while in Edinburgh 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 ScotlandFamilies may prefer Edinburgh, where 74.3% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 71.4% in Cockenzie. There are 41 schools in Cockenzie and 39 in Edinburgh.
Cockenzie School Inspection Breakdown
71.4% of 41 schools (34 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Edinburgh School Inspection Breakdown
74.3% of 39 schools (33 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cockenzie | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 41 | 39 |
| Primary | 34 | 33 |
| Secondary | 7 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 71.4% | 74.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 465.7 Mbps in Cockenzie and 434.3 Mbps in Edinburgh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 98.3% of premises in Cockenzie and 95.7% in Edinburgh. Gigabit availability stands at 92.1% in Cockenzie and 84.2% in Edinburgh.
Cockenzie is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (466 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Cockenzie, scoring 59.2 on average (band D) compared to 57.6 (band D) in Edinburgh. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,363 in Cockenzie and £1,717 in Edinburgh. 62.5% of homes in Cockenzie have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 26.9% in Edinburgh.
Cockenzie has more energy-efficient housing — 62.5% reach band C or above, vs 26.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,529 in Edinburgh and £25,528 in Cockenzie. The median age is 41.8 in Cockenzie and 41.2 in Edinburgh. Employment rates stand at 75.2% in Cockenzie and 71.9% in Edinburgh. Owner-occupancy is 71% in Cockenzie versus 60.4% in Edinburgh. Cockenzie has a population of 5,470 and Edinburgh has 512,150.
| Indicator | Cockenzie | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,470 | 512,150 |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 41.2 |
| Median Household Income | £25,528 | £33,529 |
| Employment Rate | 75.2% | 71.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 71% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.1% | 20.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cockenzie and Edinburgh?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cockenzie or Edinburgh?
Is Cockenzie or Edinburgh safer?
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