Town comparison
East Calder vs Edinburgh
Which is better to live in? 10.5 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, East Calder wins on house prices with a 25% gap. Edinburgh has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, East Calder edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Calder
£217,827
Edinburgh
£290,946
Crime Rate
East Calder
2763.3
Edinburgh
103.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Calder
91.5%
Edinburgh
74.3%
Avg Download Speed
East Calder
423.4
Edinburgh
434.3
EPC Rating
East Calder
67.6
Edinburgh
57.6
Median Income
East Calder
£30,317
Edinburgh
£33,529
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £217,827, East Calder undercuts Edinburgh (£290,946) by around 25% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in East Calder is a flat at £123,221, while in Edinburgh it is a flat at £238,069.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 52% pricier in Edinburgh (£362,527 vs £175,375).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, East Calder prices grew faster — 142% vs 113%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Edinburgh experience less crime overall, with a rate of 103.1 per 1,000 versus 2,763.3 per 1,000 in East Calder. The most common crime category in East Calder is violent-crime, while in Edinburgh it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
East Calder's most common crime is violent crime; in Edinburgh it's other crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in ScotlandOf the 86 schools in East Calder, 91.5% are in the top two inspection bands. In Edinburgh, which has 39 schools, the figure is 74.3%.
East Calder School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Edinburgh School Inspection Breakdown
74.3% of 39 schools (33 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Calder | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 39 |
| Primary | 73 | 33 |
| Secondary | 13 | 6 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 74.3% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Edinburgh averages 434.3 Mbps – ahead of East Calder's 423.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.8% of premises in East Calder and 95.7% in Edinburgh. Gigabit availability stands at 80.4% in East Calder and 84.2% in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (434 vs 423 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
East Calder leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 67.6 (D), while Edinburgh averages 57.6 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,581 in East Calder and £1,717 in Edinburgh. 37.4% of homes in East Calder have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 26.9% in Edinburgh.
East Calder has more energy-efficient housing — 37.4% reach band C or above, vs 26.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £33,529 in Edinburgh and £30,317 in East Calder. The median age is 45 in East Calder and 41.2 in Edinburgh. Owner-occupancy is 55.6% in East Calder versus 60.4% in Edinburgh. Employment rates stand at 71.5% in East Calder and 71.9% in Edinburgh.
| Indicator | East Calder | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,260 | 512,150 |
| Median Age | 45 | 41.2 |
| Median Household Income | £30,317 | £33,529 |
| Employment Rate | 71.5% | 71.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 55.6% | 60.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.7% | 20.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Calder and Edinburgh?
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