Dundee vs Forfar
Which is better to live in? Distance: 11.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Dundee is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 17% lower. Dundee has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Forfar edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Dundee
£139,483
Forfar
£167,088
Crime Rate
Dundee
107.4
Forfar
499.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Dundee
66.7%
Forfar
91.1%
Avg Download Speed
Dundee
465.6
Forfar
250.4
EPC Rating
Dundee
67
Forfar
61.7
Median Income
Dundee
£25,772
Forfar
£35,507
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Forfar commands an average of £167,088, compared with £139,483 in Dundee – a difference of 17%. The most affordable entry point in Dundee is a flat at £98,372, while in Forfar it is a flat at £94,981.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 4% pricier in Forfar (£188,195 vs £181,290).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Forfar prices grew faster — 127% vs 118%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandDundee has a crime rate of 107.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 365% lower than Forfar at 499.7 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Dundee is other-crime, while in Forfar 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 Forfar, where 91.1% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 66.7% in Dundee. There are 43 schools in Dundee and 59 in Forfar.
Dundee School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 43 schools (35 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Forfar School Inspection Breakdown
91.1% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Dundee | Forfar |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 43 | 59 |
| Primary | 35 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 91.1% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 465.6 Mbps in Dundee and 250.4 Mbps in Forfar. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.2% of premises in Dundee and 69.6% in Forfar. Gigabit availability stands at 92.3% in Dundee and 45.4% in Forfar.
Dundee is the faster of the two by 86% on average download speed (466 vs 250 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Dundee, scoring 67 on average (band D) compared to 61.7 (band D) in Forfar. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,547 in Dundee and £1,393 in Forfar. 61.2% of homes in Dundee have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.9% in Forfar.
Dundee has more energy-efficient housing — 61.2% reach band C or above, vs 53.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,507 in Forfar and £25,772 in Dundee. The median age is 44.8 in Dundee and 42.7 in Forfar. Employment rates stand at 70.5% in Dundee and 74.9% in Forfar. Owner-occupancy is 59.4% in Dundee versus 46% in Forfar. Dundee has a population of 158,200 and Forfar has 14,230.
| Indicator | Dundee | Forfar |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,200 | 14,230 |
| Median Age | 44.8 | 42.7 |
| Median Household Income | £25,772 | £35,507 |
| Employment Rate | 70.5% | 74.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 59.4% | 46% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 24.8% | 33% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Dundee and Forfar?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Dundee or Forfar?
Is Dundee or Forfar safer?
Which has better schools, Dundee or Forfar?
Which has faster broadband, Dundee or Forfar?
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