Greenock vs Helensburgh
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Greenock is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 40% lower. Greenock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Greenock edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Greenock
£108,376
Helensburgh
£180,443
Crime Rate
Greenock
85.9
Helensburgh
421.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Greenock
88.0%
Helensburgh
71.8%
Avg Download Speed
Greenock
416.8
Helensburgh
269
EPC Rating
Greenock
52.5
Helensburgh
61.4
Median Income
Greenock
£24,995
Helensburgh
£35,791
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Helensburgh commands an average of £180,443, compared with £108,376 in Greenock – a difference of 40%. The most affordable entry point in Greenock is a flat at £83,352, while in Helensburgh it is a flat at £116,169.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 28% pricier in Helensburgh (£116,169 vs £83,352).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Helensburgh prices grew faster — 129% vs 71%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandGreenock has a crime rate of 85.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 390% lower than Helensburgh at 421.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Greenock 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 ScotlandFamilies may prefer Greenock, where 88% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 71.8% in Helensburgh. There are 28 schools in Greenock and 83 in Helensburgh.
Greenock School Inspection Breakdown
88% of 28 schools (21 primary, 7 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 | Greenock | Helensburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 28 | 83 |
| Primary | 21 | 73 |
| Secondary | 7 | 10 |
| % Top two bands | 88% | 71.8% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 416.8 Mbps in Greenock and 269.0 Mbps in Helensburgh. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Greenock and 97% in Helensburgh. Gigabit availability stands at 80.3% in Greenock and 45.4% in Helensburgh.
Greenock is the faster of the two by 55% on average download speed (417 vs 269 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Helensburgh, scoring 61.4 on average (band D) compared to 52.5 (band E) in Greenock. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,490 in Greenock and £1,265 in Helensburgh. 44% of homes in Greenock have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.5% in Helensburgh.
Greenock has more energy-efficient housing — 44% reach band C or above, vs 40.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,791 in Helensburgh and £24,995 in Greenock. The median age is 39.3 in Greenock and 42.7 in Helensburgh. Employment rates stand at 78% in Greenock and 74.1% in Helensburgh. Owner-occupancy is 57.2% in Greenock versus 72.7% in Helensburgh. Greenock has a population of 67,650 and Helensburgh has 15,610.
| Indicator | Greenock | Helensburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,650 | 15,610 |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 42.7 |
| Median Household Income | £24,995 | £35,791 |
| Employment Rate | 78% | 74.1% |
| Owner Occupied | 57.2% | 72.7% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.9% | 30.1% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Greenock and Helensburgh?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Greenock or Helensburgh?
Is Greenock or Helensburgh safer?
Which has better schools, Greenock or Helensburgh?
Which has faster broadband, Greenock or Helensburgh?
Keep exploring