Town comparison
Cupar vs St Andrews
Which is better to live in? 8.1 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Cupar is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. St Andrews has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Cupar edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Cupar
£170,439
St Andrews
£170,439
Crime Rate
Cupar
3259.9
St Andrews
1672.6
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Cupar
81.8%
St Andrews
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Cupar
332.9
St Andrews
176.4
EPC Rating
Cupar
39.9
St Andrews
58.8
Median Income
Cupar
£34,625
St Andrews
£34,159
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £170,439, Cupar undercuts St Andrews (£170,439) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Cupar is a flat at £107,206, while in St Andrews 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 ScotlandSt Andrews has a crime rate of 1,672.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 95% lower than Cupar at 3,259.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Cupar is other-crime, while in St Andrews 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 Cupar, 81.8% are in the top two inspection bands. In St Andrews, which has 159 schools, the figure is 81.8%.
Cupar School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
St Andrews School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Cupar | St Andrews |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 159 | 159 |
| Primary | 142 | 142 |
| Secondary | 17 | 17 |
| % Top two bands | 81.8% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Cupar averages 332.9 Mbps – ahead of St Andrews's 176.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.6% of premises in Cupar and 93.8% in St Andrews. Gigabit availability stands at 61.2% in Cupar and 23.7% in St Andrews.
Cupar is the faster of the two by 89% on average download speed (333 vs 176 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
St Andrews leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 58.8 (D), while Cupar averages 39.9 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,861 in Cupar and £1,289 in St Andrews. 33.7% of homes in Cupar have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 18.5% in St Andrews.
Cupar has more energy-efficient housing — 33.7% reach band C or above, vs 18.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,625 in Cupar and £34,159 in St Andrews. The median age is 34.6 in Cupar and 41.7 in St Andrews. Owner-occupancy is 57.5% in Cupar versus 62.4% in St Andrews. Employment rates stand at 67.8% in Cupar and 73.8% in St Andrews.
| Indicator | Cupar | St Andrews |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,020 | 17,580 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.7 |
| Median Household Income | £34,625 | £34,159 |
| Employment Rate | 67.8% | 73.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 57.5% | 62.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.9% | 24.9% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Cupar and St Andrews?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Cupar or St Andrews?
Is Cupar or St Andrews safer?
Which has better schools, Cupar or St Andrews?
Which has faster broadband, Cupar or St Andrews?
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