Irvine vs Kilbirnie
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Irvine is about 0% cheaper on average. Irvine has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Irvine edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Irvine
£132,002
Kilbirnie
£132,002
Crime Rate
Irvine
315.2
Kilbirnie
1616.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Irvine
90.9%
Kilbirnie
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Irvine
434.7
Kilbirnie
429.9
EPC Rating
Irvine
59.2
Kilbirnie
54.8
Median Income
Irvine
£25,202
Kilbirnie
£30,638
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Irvine more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £132,002 versus £132,002 in Kilbirnie. The most affordable entry point in Irvine is a flat at £84,787, while in Kilbirnie it is a flat at £84,787.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 0% pricier in Irvine (£258,273 vs £258,273).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Irvine prices grew faster — 105% vs 105%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandCrime is lower in Irvine (315.2 per 1,000) compared to Kilbirnie (1,616.1 per 1,000), a 413% difference. The most common crime category in Irvine 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 ScotlandSchool quality favours Irvine: 90.9% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 90.9% in Kilbirnie.
Irvine School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 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 | Irvine | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Irvine enjoy 434.7 Mbps on average, while Kilbirnie lags behind at 429.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Irvine and 95.1% in Kilbirnie. Gigabit availability stands at 84.9% in Irvine and 84% in Kilbirnie.
Irvine is the faster of the two by 1% on average download speed (435 vs 430 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Irvine is band D (score 59.2), ahead of Kilbirnie's band D (score 54.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,653 in Irvine and £1,593 in Kilbirnie. 44.4% of homes in Irvine have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 34.2% in Kilbirnie.
Irvine has more energy-efficient housing — 44.4% reach band C or above, vs 34.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Irvine has a population of 37,630 while Kilbirnie has 7,340. Median household income is £30,638 in Kilbirnie and £25,202 in Irvine. The median age is 41.8 in Irvine and 40.2 in Kilbirnie. Employment rates stand at 69.9% in Irvine and 72.2% in Kilbirnie.
| Indicator | Irvine | Kilbirnie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,630 | 7,340 |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 40.2 |
| Median Household Income | £25,202 | £30,638 |
| Employment Rate | 69.9% | 72.2% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.8% | 57.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 36.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Irvine and Kilbirnie?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Irvine or Kilbirnie?
Is Irvine or Kilbirnie safer?
Which has better schools, Irvine or Kilbirnie?
Which has faster broadband, Irvine or Kilbirnie?
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