Glasgow vs Kilmacolm
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Kilmacolm is about 72% cheaper on average. Glasgow has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Kilmacolm edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Glasgow
£186,692
Kilmacolm
£108,376
Crime Rate
Glasgow
85.2
Kilmacolm
1452.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Glasgow
86.3%
Kilmacolm
88.0%
Avg Download Speed
Glasgow
457.5
Kilmacolm
247.4
EPC Rating
Glasgow
63.3
Kilmacolm
52.8
Median Income
Glasgow
£33,083
Kilmacolm
£29,215
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Kilmacolm more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £108,376 versus £186,692 in Glasgow. The most affordable entry point in Glasgow is a flat at £158,274, while in Kilmacolm it is a flat at £83,352.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 94% pricier in Glasgow (£235,778 vs £121,614).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Glasgow prices grew faster — 109% vs 71%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandCrime is lower in Glasgow (85.2 per 1,000) compared to Kilmacolm (1,452.5 per 1,000), a 1605% difference. The most common crime category in Glasgow is other-crime, while in Kilmacolm 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 Kilmacolm: 88% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 86.3% in Glasgow.
Glasgow School Inspection Breakdown
86.3% of 192 schools (154 primary, 38 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kilmacolm School Inspection Breakdown
88% of 28 schools (21 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Glasgow | Kilmacolm |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 192 | 28 |
| Primary | 154 | 21 |
| Secondary | 38 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 86.3% | 88% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Glasgow enjoy 457.5 Mbps on average, while Kilmacolm lags behind at 247.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.6% of premises in Glasgow and 75.1% in Kilmacolm. Gigabit availability stands at 90.1% in Glasgow and 43.7% in Kilmacolm.
Glasgow is the faster of the two by 85% on average download speed (458 vs 247 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Glasgow is band D (score 63.3), ahead of Kilmacolm's band E (score 52.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,643 in Glasgow and £1,554 in Kilmacolm. 50.8% of homes in Glasgow have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 48.5% in Kilmacolm.
Glasgow has more energy-efficient housing — 50.8% reach band C or above, vs 48.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Glasgow has a population of 985,290 while Kilmacolm has 4,000. Median household income is £33,083 in Glasgow and £29,215 in Kilmacolm. The median age is 43.4 in Glasgow and 39.4 in Kilmacolm. Employment rates stand at 72.2% in Glasgow and 73.5% in Kilmacolm.
| Indicator | Glasgow | Kilmacolm |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 985,290 | 4,000 |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 39.4 |
| Median Household Income | £33,083 | £29,215 |
| Employment Rate | 72.2% | 73.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.3% | 63.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.6% | 27.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Glasgow and Kilmacolm?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Glasgow or Kilmacolm?
Is Glasgow or Kilmacolm safer?
Which has better schools, Glasgow or Kilmacolm?
Which has faster broadband, Glasgow or Kilmacolm?
Keep exploring