Gretna vs Lockerbie
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.4 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Gretna wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Lockerbie has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Gretna edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Gretna
£162,680
Lockerbie
£162,680
Crime Rate
Gretna
5858.9
Lockerbie
4200.7
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Gretna
72.0%
Lockerbie
72.0%
Avg Download Speed
Gretna
100.7
Lockerbie
205.2
EPC Rating
Gretna
67.3
Lockerbie
50.3
Median Income
Gretna
£31,136
Lockerbie
£31,075
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Lockerbie commands an average of £162,680, compared with £162,680 in Gretna – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Gretna is a flat at £86,885, while in Lockerbie it is a flat at £86,885.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Gretna (£247,236 vs £247,236).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Gretna prices grew faster — 92% vs 92%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Lockerbie experience less crime overall, with a rate of 4,200.7 per 1,000 versus 5,858.9 per 1,000 in Gretna. The most common crime category in Gretna is other-crime, while in Lockerbie 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 Gretna, where 72% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 72% in Lockerbie. There are 108 schools in Gretna and 108 in Lockerbie.
Gretna School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Lockerbie School Inspection Breakdown
72% of 108 schools (93 primary, 15 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Gretna | Lockerbie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 108 | 108 |
| Primary | 93 | 93 |
| Secondary | 15 | 15 |
| % Top two bands | 72% | 72% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 205.2 Mbps in Lockerbie and 100.7 Mbps in Gretna. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.1% of premises in Gretna and 83.6% in Lockerbie. Gigabit availability stands at 6.8% in Gretna and 32.4% in Lockerbie.
Lockerbie is the faster of the two by 104% on average download speed (205 vs 101 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Gretna, scoring 67.3 on average (band C) compared to 50.3 (band E) in Lockerbie. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,436 in Gretna and £1,570 in Lockerbie. 50.4% of homes in Gretna have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 25.2% in Lockerbie.
Gretna has more energy-efficient housing — 50.4% reach band C or above, vs 25.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £31,136 in Gretna and £31,075 in Lockerbie. The median age is 46.6 in Gretna and 38.5 in Lockerbie. Employment rates stand at 55.8% in Gretna and 73.9% in Lockerbie. Owner-occupancy is 68.8% in Gretna versus 68.3% in Lockerbie. Gretna has a population of 3,040 and Lockerbie has 4,240.
| Indicator | Gretna | Lockerbie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,040 | 4,240 |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 38.5 |
| Median Household Income | £31,136 | £31,075 |
| Employment Rate | 55.8% | 73.9% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.8% | 68.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.4% | 26.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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