Galston vs Kilmarnock
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Galston is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Kilmarnock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Galston edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Galston
£127,807
Kilmarnock
£127,807
Crime Rate
Galston
2202.1
Kilmarnock
203.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Galston
68.2%
Kilmarnock
68.2%
Avg Download Speed
Galston
335.6
Kilmarnock
426.4
EPC Rating
Galston
59.4
Kilmarnock
48.2
Median Income
Galston
£35,177
Kilmarnock
£24,620
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Kilmarnock commands an average of £127,807, compared with £127,807 in Galston – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Galston is a flat at £73,235, while in Kilmarnock it is a flat at £73,235.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Galston (£243,517 vs £243,517).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Galston prices grew faster — 102% vs 102%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandKilmarnock has a crime rate of 203.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 984% lower than Galston at 2,202.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Galston is other-crime, while in Kilmarnock 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 ScotlandFamilies may prefer Galston, where 68.2% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 68.2% in Kilmarnock. There are 54 schools in Galston and 54 in Kilmarnock.
Galston School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kilmarnock School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Galston | Kilmarnock |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 54 | 54 |
| Primary | 47 | 47 |
| Secondary | 7 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 68.2% | 68.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 426.4 Mbps in Kilmarnock and 335.6 Mbps in Galston. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94% of premises in Galston and 94.2% in Kilmarnock. Gigabit availability stands at 61.7% in Galston and 83% in Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock is the faster of the two by 27% on average download speed (426 vs 336 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Galston, scoring 59.4 on average (band D) compared to 48.2 (band E) in Kilmarnock. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,472 in Galston and £1,492 in Kilmarnock. 40.7% of homes in Galston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53% in Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock has more energy-efficient housing — 53% reach band C or above, vs 40.7% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,177 in Galston and £24,620 in Kilmarnock. The median age is 41.9 in Galston and 37.7 in Kilmarnock. Employment rates stand at 73.9% in Galston and 76.5% in Kilmarnock. Owner-occupancy is 64.4% in Galston versus 48.8% in Kilmarnock. Galston has a population of 4,740 and Kilmarnock has 51,390.
| Indicator | Galston | Kilmarnock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,740 | 51,390 |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 37.7 |
| Median Household Income | £35,177 | £24,620 |
| Employment Rate | 73.9% | 76.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.4% | 48.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.8% | 27.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Galston and Kilmarnock?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Galston or Kilmarnock?
Is Galston or Kilmarnock safer?
Which has better schools, Galston or Kilmarnock?
Which has faster broadband, Galston or Kilmarnock?
Keep exploring