Dumbarton vs Glasgow
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Dumbarton is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 35% lower. Glasgow has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Dumbarton edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dumbarton
£120,597
Glasgow
£186,692
Crime Rate
Dumbarton
474.8
Glasgow
85.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dumbarton
94.9%
Glasgow
86.3%
Avg Download Speed
Dumbarton
410.8
Glasgow
457.5
EPC Rating
Dumbarton
65.2
Glasgow
63.3
Median Income
Dumbarton
£31,337
Glasgow
£33,083
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Glasgow commands an average of £186,692, compared with £120,597 in Dumbarton – a difference of 35%. The most affordable entry point in Dumbarton is a flat at £90,542, while in Glasgow it is a flat at £158,274.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 43% pricier in Glasgow (£158,274 vs £90,542).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Glasgow prices grew faster — 109% vs 98%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandGlasgow has a crime rate of 85.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 457% lower than Dumbarton at 474.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dumbarton is other-crime, while in Glasgow 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 86.3% in Glasgow. There are 40 schools in Dumbarton and 192 in Glasgow.
Dumbarton School Inspection Breakdown
94.9% of 40 schools (35 primary, 5 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Glasgow School Inspection Breakdown
86.3% of 192 schools (154 primary, 38 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dumbarton | Glasgow |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 40 | 192 |
| Primary | 35 | 154 |
| Secondary | 5 | 38 |
| % Top two bands | 94.9% | 86.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 457.5 Mbps in Glasgow and 410.8 Mbps in Dumbarton. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.5% of premises in Dumbarton and 96.6% in Glasgow. Gigabit availability stands at 78.5% in Dumbarton and 90.1% in Glasgow.
Glasgow is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (458 vs 411 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Dumbarton leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 65.2 (D), while Glasgow averages 63.3 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,557 in Dumbarton and £1,643 in Glasgow. 36.7% of homes in Dumbarton have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 50.8% in Glasgow.
Glasgow has more energy-efficient housing — 50.8% reach band C or above, vs 36.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,083 in Glasgow and £31,337 in Dumbarton. The median age is 44.1 in Dumbarton and 43.4 in Glasgow. Owner-occupancy is 60% in Dumbarton versus 60.3% in Glasgow. Employment rates stand at 69.5% in Dumbarton and 72.2% in Glasgow.
| Indicator | Dumbarton | Glasgow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,120 | 985,290 |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £31,337 | £33,083 |
| Employment Rate | 69.5% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 60% | 60.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 23% | 29.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dumbarton and Glasgow?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dumbarton or Glasgow?
Is Dumbarton or Glasgow safer?
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