Cupar vs Glenrothes
Which is better to live in? Distance: 10.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Cupar is about 0% cheaper on average. Glenrothes has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cupar edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cupar
£170,439
Glenrothes
£170,439
Crime Rate
Cupar
3259.9
Glenrothes
625.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cupar
81.8%
Glenrothes
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Cupar
332.9
Glenrothes
371.6
EPC Rating
Cupar
39.9
Glenrothes
56.4
Median Income
Cupar
£34,625
Glenrothes
£35,351
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Cupar more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £170,439 versus £170,439 in Glenrothes. The most affordable entry point in Cupar is a flat at £107,206, while in Glenrothes it is a flat at £107,206.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Cupar (£327,003 vs £327,003).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Cupar prices grew faster — 127% vs 127%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 625.5 offences per 1,000 people, Glenrothes is the safer of the two – 421% lower than Cupar's 3,259.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cupar is other-crime, while in Glenrothes 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 Cupar: 81.8% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 81.8% in Glenrothes.
Cupar School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Glenrothes School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cupar | Glenrothes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 159 | 159 |
| Primary | 142 | 142 |
| Secondary | 17 | 17 |
| % Top two bands | 81.8% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Glenrothes enjoy 371.6 Mbps on average, while Cupar lags behind at 332.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.6% of premises in Cupar and 98.2% in Glenrothes. Gigabit availability stands at 61.2% in Cupar and 69.4% in Glenrothes.
Glenrothes is the faster of the two by 12% on average download speed (372 vs 333 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Glenrothes is band D (score 56.4), ahead of Cupar's band E (score 39.9). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,861 in Cupar and £1,584 in Glenrothes. 33.7% of homes in Cupar have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 33.6% in Glenrothes.
Cupar has more energy-efficient housing — 33.7% reach band C or above, vs 33.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Cupar has a population of 9,020 while Glenrothes has 47,010. Median household income is £35,351 in Glenrothes and £34,625 in Cupar. The median age is 34.6 in Cupar and 40.8 in Glenrothes. Employment rates stand at 67.8% in Cupar and 72.4% in Glenrothes.
| Indicator | Cupar | Glenrothes |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,020 | 47,010 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 40.8 |
| Median Household Income | £34,625 | £35,351 |
| Employment Rate | 67.8% | 72.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 57.5% | 62.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 31% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cupar and Glenrothes?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cupar or Glenrothes?
Is Cupar or Glenrothes safer?
Which has better schools, Cupar or Glenrothes?
Which has faster broadband, Cupar or Glenrothes?
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