Town comparison
East Calder vs Falkirk
Which is better to live in? 14.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Falkirk wins on house prices with a 32% gap. Falkirk has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Falkirk edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Calder
£217,827
Falkirk
£165,479
Crime Rate
East Calder
2763.3
Falkirk
119.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Calder
91.5%
Falkirk
94.7%
Avg Download Speed
East Calder
423.4
Falkirk
432
EPC Rating
East Calder
67.6
Falkirk
62
Median Income
East Calder
£30,317
Falkirk
£26,354
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £165,479, Falkirk undercuts East Calder (£217,827) by around 32% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in East Calder is a flat at £123,221, while in Falkirk it is a flat at £99,408.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 24% pricier in East Calder (£123,221 vs £99,408).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Falkirk prices grew faster — 144% vs 142%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Falkirk experience less crime overall, with a rate of 119.4 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 Falkirk it is other-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
East Calder's most common crime is violent crime; in Falkirk 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 Falkirk, which has 59 schools, the figure is 94.7%.
East Calder School Inspection Breakdown
91.5% of 86 schools (73 primary, 13 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Falkirk School Inspection Breakdown
94.7% of 59 schools (50 primary, 9 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Calder | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 86 | 59 |
| Primary | 73 | 50 |
| Secondary | 13 | 9 |
| % Top two bands | 91.5% | 94.7% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Falkirk averages 432.0 Mbps – ahead of East Calder's 423.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97.8% of premises in East Calder and 94% in Falkirk. Gigabit availability stands at 80.4% in East Calder and 84.7% in Falkirk.
Falkirk is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (432 vs 423 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours East Calder, scoring 67.6 on average (band D) compared to 62 (band D) in Falkirk. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,581 in East Calder and £1,311 in Falkirk. 37.4% of homes in East Calder have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 31.3% in Falkirk.
East Calder has more energy-efficient housing — 37.4% reach band C or above, vs 31.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,317 in East Calder and £26,354 in Falkirk. The median age is 45 in East Calder and 42.9 in Falkirk. Employment rates stand at 71.5% in East Calder and 78% in Falkirk. Owner-occupancy is 55.6% in East Calder versus 60.3% in Falkirk. East Calder has a population of 5,260 and Falkirk has 103,030.
| Indicator | East Calder | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,260 | 103,030 |
| Median Age | 45 | 42.9 |
| Median Household Income | £30,317 | £26,354 |
| Employment Rate | 71.5% | 78% |
| Owner Occupied | 55.6% | 60.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.7% | 35.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Calder and Falkirk?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, East Calder or Falkirk?
Is East Calder or Falkirk safer?
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