East Kilbride vs Neilston
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in East Kilbride is about 39% cheaper on average. East Kilbride has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Neilston edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
East Kilbride
£175,976
Neilston
£288,728
Crime Rate
East Kilbride
345.7
Neilston
793.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
East Kilbride
87.8%
Neilston
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
East Kilbride
462.5
Neilston
415.9
EPC Rating
East Kilbride
48.2
Neilston
53.3
Median Income
East Kilbride
£33,078
Neilston
£27,885
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find East Kilbride more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £175,976 versus £288,728 in Neilston. The most affordable entry point in East Kilbride is a flat at £101,671, while in Neilston it is a flat at £165,371.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 39% pricier in Neilston (£165,371 vs £101,671).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, East Kilbride prices grew faster — 125% vs 105%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 345.7 offences per 1,000 people, East Kilbride is the safer of the two – 130% lower than Neilston's 793.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in East Kilbride is other-crime, while in Neilston 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 ScotlandSchool quality favours Neilston: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 87.8% in East Kilbride.
East Kilbride School Inspection Breakdown
87.8% of 151 schools (132 primary, 19 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Neilston School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 32 schools (25 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Neilston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 151 | 32 |
| Primary | 132 | 25 |
| Secondary | 19 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 87.8% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in East Kilbride enjoy 462.5 Mbps on average, while Neilston lags behind at 415.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.9% of premises in East Kilbride and 91.1% in Neilston. Gigabit availability stands at 91.5% in East Kilbride and 81.2% in Neilston.
East Kilbride is the faster of the two by 11% on average download speed (463 vs 416 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Neilston is band E (score 53.3), ahead of East Kilbride's band E (score 48.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,488 in East Kilbride and £1,387 in Neilston. 35.1% of homes in East Kilbride have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 41.4% in Neilston.
Neilston has more energy-efficient housing — 41.4% reach band C or above, vs 35.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
East Kilbride has a population of 75,120 while Neilston has 5,170. Median household income is £33,078 in East Kilbride and £27,885 in Neilston. The median age is 37.7 in East Kilbride and 39.6 in Neilston. Employment rates stand at 74.6% in East Kilbride and 73.6% in Neilston.
| Indicator | East Kilbride | Neilston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,120 | 5,170 |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.6 |
| Median Household Income | £33,078 | £27,885 |
| Employment Rate | 74.6% | 73.6% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.8% | 57.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 24.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are East Kilbride and Neilston?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, East Kilbride or Neilston?
Is East Kilbride or Neilston safer?
Which has better schools, East Kilbride or Neilston?
Which has faster broadband, East Kilbride or Neilston?
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