Dalbeattie vs Kirkcudbright
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.1 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Dalbeattie is about 0% cheaper on average. Dalbeattie has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dalbeattie edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dalbeattie
£162,680
Kirkcudbright
£162,680
Crime Rate
Dalbeattie
4240.7
Kirkcudbright
5207.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dalbeattie
72.0%
Kirkcudbright
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Dalbeattie
150.8
Kirkcudbright
225.7
EPC Rating
Dalbeattie
41.9
Kirkcudbright
44.4
Median Income
Dalbeattie
£28,422
Kirkcudbright
£28,391
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Dalbeattie more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £162,680 versus £162,680 in Kirkcudbright. The most affordable entry point in Dalbeattie is a flat at £86,885, while in Kirkcudbright it is a flat at £86,885.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Dalbeattie (£247,236 vs £247,236).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Dalbeattie prices grew faster — 92% vs 92%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 4,240.7 offences per 1,000 people, Dalbeattie is the safer of the two – 23% lower than Kirkcudbright's 5,207.9 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dalbeattie is other-crime, while in Kirkcudbright 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 Dalbeattie: 72% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 72% in Kirkcudbright.
Dalbeattie School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkcudbright School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dalbeattie | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 108 | 108 |
| Primary | 93 | 93 |
| Secondary | 15 | 15 |
| % Top two bands | 72% | 72% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Kirkcudbright enjoy 225.7 Mbps on average, while Dalbeattie lags behind at 150.8 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.6% of premises in Dalbeattie and 96.3% in Kirkcudbright. Gigabit availability stands at 17.2% in Dalbeattie and 35.1% in Kirkcudbright.
Kirkcudbright is the faster of the two by 50% on average download speed (226 vs 151 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Kirkcudbright is band E (score 44.4), ahead of Dalbeattie's band E (score 41.9). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,931 in Dalbeattie and £1,774 in Kirkcudbright. 30.7% of homes in Dalbeattie have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 29.9% in Kirkcudbright.
Dalbeattie has more energy-efficient housing — 30.7% reach band C or above, vs 29.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Dalbeattie has a population of 4,200 while Kirkcudbright has 3,420. Median household income is £28,422 in Dalbeattie and £28,391 in Kirkcudbright. The median age is 35.3 in Dalbeattie and 36.3 in Kirkcudbright. Employment rates stand at 71.5% in Dalbeattie and 69.6% in Kirkcudbright.
| Indicator | Dalbeattie | Kirkcudbright |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 3,420 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,422 | £28,391 |
| Employment Rate | 71.5% | 69.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 56.6% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.2% | 28.3% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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