Houston vs Kilbirnie
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.6 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Kilbirnie wins on house prices with a 19% gap. Kilbirnie has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Houston edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Houston
£156,798
Kilbirnie
£132,002
Crime Rate
Houston
2356.6
Kilbirnie
1616.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Houston
94.8%
Kilbirnie
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Houston
373.1
Kilbirnie
429.9
EPC Rating
Houston
56.2
Kilbirnie
54.8
Median Income
Houston
£29,661
Kilbirnie
£30,638
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Houston commands an average of £156,798, compared with £132,002 in Kilbirnie – a difference of 19%. The most affordable entry point in Houston is a flat at £102,343, while in Kilbirnie it is a flat at £84,787.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 39% pricier in Houston (£213,451 vs £153,043).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Houston prices grew faster — 119% vs 105%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Kilbirnie experience less crime overall, with a rate of 1,616.1 per 1,000 versus 2,356.6 per 1,000 in Houston. The most common crime category in Houston 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 Houston, where 94.8% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90.9% in Kilbirnie. There are 63 schools in Houston and 59 in Kilbirnie.
Houston School Inspection Breakdown
94.8% of 63 schools (52 primary, 11 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 | Houston | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 63 | 59 |
| Primary | 52 | 51 |
| Secondary | 11 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 94.8% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 429.9 Mbps in Kilbirnie and 373.1 Mbps in Houston. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 85.5% of premises in Houston and 95.1% in Kilbirnie. Gigabit availability stands at 72.2% in Houston and 84% in Kilbirnie.
Kilbirnie is the faster of the two by 15% on average download speed (430 vs 373 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Houston leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 56.2 (D), while Kilbirnie averages 54.8 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,371 in Houston and £1,593 in Kilbirnie. 43% of homes in Houston have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 34.2% in Kilbirnie.
Houston has more energy-efficient housing — 43% reach band C or above, vs 34.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,638 in Kilbirnie and £29,661 in Houston. The median age is 40.7 in Houston and 40.2 in Kilbirnie. Owner-occupancy is 63.8% in Houston versus 57.3% in Kilbirnie. Employment rates stand at 74% in Houston and 72.2% in Kilbirnie.
| Indicator | Houston | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,430 | 7,340 |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 40.2 |
| Median Household Income | £29,661 | £30,638 |
| Employment Rate | 74% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.8% | 57.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 22.3% | 36.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Houston and Kilbirnie?
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