Edinburgh vs Kirkcaldy and Dysart
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Kirkcaldy And Dysart is about 71% cheaper on average. Edinburgh has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Kirkcaldy And Dysart edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Edinburgh
£290,946
Kirkcaldy and Dysart
£170,439
Crime Rate
Edinburgh
103.1
Kirkcaldy and Dysart
588.0
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Edinburgh
74.3%
Kirkcaldy and Dysart
81.8%
Avg Download Speed
Edinburgh
434.3
Kirkcaldy and Dysart
445
EPC Rating
Edinburgh
57.6
Kirkcaldy and Dysart
49.5
Median Income
Edinburgh
£33,529
Kirkcaldy and Dysart
£36,005
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandThe average house price in Kirkcaldy And Dysart is £170,439, which is 71% less than Edinburgh at £290,946. The most affordable entry point in Edinburgh is a flat at £238,069, while in Kirkcaldy And Dysart it is a flat at £107,206.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 135% pricier in Edinburgh (£362,527 vs £154,290).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Kirkcaldy And Dysart prices grew faster — 127% vs 113%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 103.1 offences per 1,000 people, Edinburgh is the safer of the two – 470% lower than Kirkcaldy And Dysart's 588 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Edinburgh is other-crime, while in Kirkcaldy And Dysart 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 ScotlandKirkcaldy And Dysart has 81.8% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 74.3% in Edinburgh. Edinburgh has 39 schools in total, while Kirkcaldy And Dysart has 159.
Edinburgh School Inspection Breakdown
74.3% of 39 schools (33 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kirkcaldy and Dysart School Inspection Breakdown
81.8% of 159 schools (142 primary, 17 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Kirkcaldy and Dysart |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 39 | 159 |
| Primary | 33 | 142 |
| Secondary | 6 | 17 |
| % Top two bands | 74.3% | 81.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Kirkcaldy And Dysart offers faster average downloads at 445.0 Mbps, compared to 434.3 Mbps in Edinburgh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.7% of premises in Edinburgh and 97.1% in Kirkcaldy And Dysart. Gigabit availability stands at 84.2% in Edinburgh and 87.2% in Kirkcaldy And Dysart.
Kirkcaldy And Dysart is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (445 vs 434 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Edinburgh are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 57.6 (band D) versus 49.5 (band E) in Kirkcaldy And Dysart. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,717 in Edinburgh and £1,730 in Kirkcaldy And Dysart. 26.9% of homes in Edinburgh have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 36.9% in Kirkcaldy And Dysart.
Kirkcaldy And Dysart has more energy-efficient housing — 36.9% reach band C or above, vs 26.9% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £36,005 in Kirkcaldy And Dysart and £33,529 in Edinburgh. The median age is 41.2 in Edinburgh and 38.2 in Kirkcaldy And Dysart. Employment rates stand at 71.9% in Edinburgh and 67.5% in Kirkcaldy And Dysart. Owner-occupancy is 60.4% in Edinburgh versus 53.9% in Kirkcaldy And Dysart.
| Indicator | Edinburgh | Kirkcaldy and Dysart |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 512,150 | 50,010 |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 38.2 |
| Median Household Income | £33,529 | £36,005 |
| Employment Rate | 71.9% | 67.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.4% | 53.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 20.1% | 22.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy And Dysart?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Edinburgh or Kirkcaldy And Dysart?
Is Edinburgh or Kirkcaldy And Dysart safer?
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