Garelochhead vs Helensburgh
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Garelochhead offers lower property prices by roughly 0%. Helensburgh has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Garelochhead edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Garelochhead
£180,443
Helensburgh
£180,443
Crime Rate
Garelochhead
1776.8
Helensburgh
421.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Garelochhead
71.8%
Helensburgh
71.8%
Avg Download Speed
Garelochhead
269
Helensburgh
269
EPC Rating
Garelochhead
51.3
Helensburgh
61.4
Median Income
Garelochhead
£28,140
Helensburgh
£35,791
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandThe average house price in Garelochhead is £180,443, which is 0% less than Helensburgh at £180,443. The most affordable entry point in Garelochhead is a flat at £116,169, while in Helensburgh it is a flat at £116,169.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Garelochhead (£315,357 vs £315,357).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Garelochhead prices grew faster — 129% vs 129%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 421.1 offences per 1,000 people, Helensburgh is the safer of the two – 322% lower than Garelochhead's 1,776.8 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Garelochhead 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 ScotlandGarelochhead has 71.8% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 71.8% in Helensburgh. Garelochhead has 83 schools in total, while Helensburgh has 83.
Garelochhead School Inspection Breakdown
71.8% of 83 schools (73 primary, 10 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 | Garelochhead | Helensburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 83 | 83 |
| Primary | 73 | 73 |
| Secondary | 10 | 10 |
| % Top two bands | 71.8% | 71.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Garelochhead offers faster average downloads at 269.0 Mbps, compared to 269.0 Mbps in Helensburgh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 97% of premises in Garelochhead and 97% in Helensburgh. Gigabit availability stands at 45.4% in Garelochhead and 45.4% in Helensburgh.
Garelochhead is the faster of the two by 0% on average download speed (269 vs 269 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Helensburgh are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 61.4 (band D) versus 51.3 (band E) in Garelochhead. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,403 in Garelochhead and £1,265 in Helensburgh. 55% of homes in Garelochhead have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.5% in Helensburgh.
Garelochhead has more energy-efficient housing — 55% reach band C or above, vs 40.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,791 in Helensburgh and £28,140 in Garelochhead. The median age is 38.9 in Garelochhead and 42.7 in Helensburgh. Employment rates stand at 75.3% in Garelochhead and 74.1% in Helensburgh. Owner-occupancy is 62.2% in Garelochhead versus 72.7% in Helensburgh.
| Indicator | Garelochhead | Helensburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,700 | 15,610 |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 42.7 |
| Median Household Income | £28,140 | £35,791 |
| Employment Rate | 75.3% | 74.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 62.2% | 72.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 30.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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