Dalry vs Kilbirnie
Which is better to live in? Distance: 3.5 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Dalry wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Kilbirnie has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dalry edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dalry
£132,002
Kilbirnie
£132,002
Crime Rate
Dalry
2213.1
Kilbirnie
1616.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dalry
90.9%
Kilbirnie
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Dalry
433.4
Kilbirnie
429.9
EPC Rating
Dalry
63.1
Kilbirnie
54.8
Median Income
Dalry
£34,260
Kilbirnie
£30,638
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £132,002, Dalry undercuts Kilbirnie (£132,002) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Dalry is a flat at £84,787, while in Kilbirnie it is a flat at £84,787.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Dalry (£258,273 vs £258,273).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Dalry prices grew faster — 105% vs 105%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Kilbirnie experience less crime overall, with a rate of 1,616.1 per 1,000 versus 2,213.1 per 1,000 in Dalry. The most common crime category in Dalry is other-crime, while in Kilbirnie 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 59 schools in Dalry, 90.9% are in the top two inspection bands. In Kilbirnie, which has 59 schools, the figure is 90.9%.
Dalry School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kilbirnie School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dalry | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Dalry averages 433.4 Mbps – ahead of Kilbirnie's 429.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.8% of premises in Dalry and 95.1% in Kilbirnie. Gigabit availability stands at 84.5% in Dalry and 84% in Kilbirnie.
Dalry is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (433 vs 430 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Dalry leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 63.1 (D), while Kilbirnie averages 54.8 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,462 in Dalry and £1,593 in Kilbirnie. 52.3% of homes in Dalry have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 34.2% in Kilbirnie.
Dalry has more energy-efficient housing — 52.3% reach band C or above, vs 34.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £34,260 in Dalry and £30,638 in Kilbirnie. The median age is 43.3 in Dalry and 40.2 in Kilbirnie. Owner-occupancy is 65.1% in Dalry versus 57.3% in Kilbirnie. Employment rates stand at 72.2% in Dalry and 72.2% in Kilbirnie.
| Indicator | Dalry | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,360 | 7,340 |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 40.2 |
| Median Household Income | £34,260 | £30,638 |
| Employment Rate | 72.2% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 65.1% | 57.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 39.4% | 36.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dalry and Kilbirnie?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dalry or Kilbirnie?
Is Dalry or Kilbirnie safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Dalry or Kilbirnie?
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