East Kilbride vs Galston
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Galston is about 38% cheaper on average. East Kilbride has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, East Kilbride edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Kilbride
£175,976
Galston
£127,807
Crime Rate
East Kilbride
345.7
Galston
2202.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Kilbride
87.8%
Galston
68.2%
Avg Download Speed
East Kilbride
462.5
Galston
335.6
EPC Rating
East Kilbride
48.2
Galston
59.4
Median Income
East Kilbride
£33,078
Galston
£35,177
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandThe average house price in Galston is £127,807, which is 38% less than East Kilbride at £175,976. The most affordable entry point in East Kilbride is a flat at £101,671, while in Galston it is a flat at £73,235.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 50% pricier in East Kilbride (£210,467 vs £140,569).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, East Kilbride prices grew faster — 125% vs 102%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 345.7 offences per 1,000 people, East Kilbride is the safer of the two – 537% lower than Galston's 2,202.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in East Kilbride is other-crime, while in Galston 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 ScotlandEast Kilbride has 87.8% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 68.2% in Galston. East Kilbride has 151 schools in total, while Galston has 54.
East Kilbride School Inspection Breakdown
87.8% of 151 schools (132 primary, 19 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Galston School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Galston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 151 | 54 |
| Primary | 132 | 47 |
| Secondary | 19 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 87.8% | 68.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
East Kilbride offers faster average downloads at 462.5 Mbps, compared to 335.6 Mbps in Galston. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.9% of premises in East Kilbride and 94% in Galston. Gigabit availability stands at 91.5% in East Kilbride and 61.7% in Galston.
East Kilbride is the faster of the two by 38% on average download speed (463 vs 336 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Galston are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 59.4 (band D) versus 48.2 (band E) in East Kilbride. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,488 in East Kilbride and £1,472 in Galston. 35.1% of homes in East Kilbride have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.7% in Galston.
Galston has more energy-efficient housing — 40.7% reach band C or above, vs 35.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,177 in Galston and £33,078 in East Kilbride. The median age is 37.7 in East Kilbride and 41.9 in Galston. Employment rates stand at 74.6% in East Kilbride and 73.9% in Galston. Owner-occupancy is 63.8% in East Kilbride versus 64.4% in Galston.
| Indicator | East Kilbride | Galston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,120 | 4,740 |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 41.9 |
| Median Household Income | £33,078 | £35,177 |
| Employment Rate | 74.6% | 73.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.8% | 64.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 30.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Kilbride and Galston?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, East Kilbride or Galston?
Is East Kilbride or Galston safer?
Which has better schools, East Kilbride or Galston?
Which has faster broadband, East Kilbride or Galston?
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