Greenock vs Kilbirnie
Which is better to live in? Distance: 13.4 miles apart.
The verdict
Greenock is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 18% lower. Greenock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Kilbirnie edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Greenock
£108,376
Kilbirnie
£132,002
Crime Rate
Greenock
85.9
Kilbirnie
1616.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Greenock
88.0%
Kilbirnie
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Greenock
416.8
Kilbirnie
429.9
EPC Rating
Greenock
52.5
Kilbirnie
54.8
Median Income
Greenock
£24,995
Kilbirnie
£30,638
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Kilbirnie commands an average of £132,002, compared with £108,376 in Greenock – a difference of 18%. The most affordable entry point in Greenock is a flat at £83,352, while in Kilbirnie it is a flat at £84,787.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 14% pricier in Greenock (£295,285 vs £258,273).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Kilbirnie prices grew faster — 105% vs 71%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandGreenock has a crime rate of 85.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 1781% lower than Kilbirnie at 1,616.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Greenock is other-crime, while in Kilbirnie 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 Kilbirnie, where 90.9% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 88% in Greenock. There are 28 schools in Greenock and 59 in Kilbirnie.
Greenock School Inspection Breakdown
88% of 28 schools (21 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kilbirnie School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Greenock | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 28 | 59 |
| Primary | 21 | 51 |
| Secondary | 7 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 88% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 429.9 Mbps in Kilbirnie and 416.8 Mbps in Greenock. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.2% of premises in Greenock and 95.1% in Kilbirnie. Gigabit availability stands at 80.3% in Greenock and 84% in Kilbirnie.
Kilbirnie is the faster of the two by 3% on average download speed (430 vs 417 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Kilbirnie leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 54.8 (D), while Greenock averages 52.5 (E). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,490 in Greenock and £1,593 in Kilbirnie. 44% of homes in Greenock have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 34.2% in Kilbirnie.
Greenock has more energy-efficient housing — 44% reach band C or above, vs 34.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,638 in Kilbirnie and £24,995 in Greenock. The median age is 39.3 in Greenock and 40.2 in Kilbirnie. Owner-occupancy is 57.2% in Greenock versus 57.3% in Kilbirnie. Employment rates stand at 78% in Greenock and 72.2% in Kilbirnie.
| Indicator | Greenock | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,650 | 7,340 |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 40.2 |
| Median Household Income | £24,995 | £30,638 |
| Employment Rate | 78% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 57.2% | 57.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.9% | 36.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Greenock and Kilbirnie?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Greenock or Kilbirnie?
Is Greenock or Kilbirnie safer?
Which has better schools, Greenock or Kilbirnie?
Which has faster broadband, Greenock or Kilbirnie?
Keep exploring