Erskine vs Helensburgh
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Erskine is about 13% cheaper on average. Helensburgh has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Erskine edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Erskine
£156,798
Helensburgh
£180,443
Crime Rate
Erskine
872.4
Helensburgh
421.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Erskine
94.8%
Helensburgh
71.8%
Avg Download Speed
Erskine
443.8
Helensburgh
269
EPC Rating
Erskine
64.1
Helensburgh
61.4
Median Income
Erskine
£28,137
Helensburgh
£35,791
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Erskine more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £156,798 versus £180,443 in Helensburgh. The most affordable entry point in Erskine is a flat at £102,343, while in Helensburgh it is a flat at £116,169.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 12% pricier in Helensburgh (£116,169 vs £102,343).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Helensburgh prices grew faster — 129% vs 119%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 421.1 offences per 1,000 people, Helensburgh is the safer of the two – 107% lower than Erskine's 872.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Erskine is other-crime, while in Helensburgh 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 Erskine: 94.8% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 71.8% in Helensburgh.
Erskine School Inspection Breakdown
94.8% of 63 schools (52 primary, 11 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Helensburgh School Inspection Breakdown
71.8% of 83 schools (73 primary, 10 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Erskine | Helensburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 63 | 83 |
| Primary | 52 | 73 |
| Secondary | 11 | 10 |
| % Top two bands | 94.8% | 71.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Erskine enjoy 443.8 Mbps on average, while Helensburgh lags behind at 269.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.9% of premises in Erskine and 97% in Helensburgh. Gigabit availability stands at 87.3% in Erskine and 45.4% in Helensburgh.
Erskine is the faster of the two by 65% on average download speed (444 vs 269 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Erskine is band D (score 64.1), ahead of Helensburgh's band D (score 61.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,419 in Erskine and £1,265 in Helensburgh. 36.6% of homes in Erskine have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.5% in Helensburgh.
Helensburgh has more energy-efficient housing — 40.5% reach band C or above, vs 36.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Erskine has a population of 17,370 while Helensburgh has 15,610. Median household income is £35,791 in Helensburgh and £28,137 in Erskine. The median age is 43.7 in Erskine and 42.7 in Helensburgh. Employment rates stand at 73.4% in Erskine and 74.1% in Helensburgh.
| Indicator | Erskine | Helensburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,370 | 15,610 |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 42.7 |
| Median Household Income | £28,137 | £35,791 |
| Employment Rate | 73.4% | 74.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.9% | 72.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.7% | 30.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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