Dumbarton vs Erskine
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Dumbarton wins on house prices with a 23% gap. Dumbarton has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dumbarton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dumbarton
£120,597
Erskine
£156,798
Crime Rate
Dumbarton
474.8
Erskine
872.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dumbarton
94.9%
Erskine
94.8%
Avg Download Speed
Dumbarton
410.8
Erskine
443.8
EPC Rating
Dumbarton
65.2
Erskine
64.1
Median Income
Dumbarton
£31,337
Erskine
£28,137
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Erskine commands an average of £156,798, compared with £120,597 in Dumbarton – a difference of 23%. The most affordable entry point in Dumbarton is a flat at £90,542, while in Erskine it is a flat at £102,343.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 18% pricier in Erskine (£348,270 vs £286,992).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Erskine prices grew faster — 119% vs 98%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Dumbarton experience less crime overall, with a rate of 474.8 per 1,000 versus 872.4 per 1,000 in Erskine. The most common crime category in Dumbarton is other-crime, while in Erskine 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 Dumbarton, where 94.9% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 94.8% in Erskine. There are 40 schools in Dumbarton and 63 in Erskine.
Dumbarton School Inspection Breakdown
94.9% of 40 schools (35 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Erskine School Inspection Breakdown
94.8% of 63 schools (52 primary, 11 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dumbarton | Erskine |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 40 | 63 |
| Primary | 35 | 52 |
| Secondary | 5 | 11 |
| % Top two bands | 94.9% | 94.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 443.8 Mbps in Erskine and 410.8 Mbps in Dumbarton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.5% of premises in Dumbarton and 94.9% in Erskine. Gigabit availability stands at 78.5% in Dumbarton and 87.3% in Erskine.
Erskine is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (444 vs 411 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Dumbarton leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 65.2 (D), while Erskine averages 64.1 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,557 in Dumbarton and £1,419 in Erskine. 36.7% of homes in Dumbarton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 36.6% in Erskine.
Dumbarton has more energy-efficient housing — 36.7% reach band C or above, vs 36.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,337 in Dumbarton and £28,137 in Erskine. The median age is 44.1 in Dumbarton and 43.7 in Erskine. Owner-occupancy is 60% in Dumbarton versus 68.9% in Erskine. Employment rates stand at 69.5% in Dumbarton and 73.4% in Erskine.
| Indicator | Dumbarton | Erskine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,120 | 17,370 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 43.7 |
| Median Household Income | £31,337 | £28,137 |
| Employment Rate | 69.5% | 73.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 60% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23% | 31.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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