Irvine vs Kilmarnock
Which is better to live in? Distance: 6.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Kilmarnock is about 3% cheaper on average. Kilmarnock has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Irvine edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Irvine
£132,002
Kilmarnock
£127,807
Crime Rate
Irvine
315.2
Kilmarnock
203.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Irvine
90.9%
Kilmarnock
68.2%
Avg Download Speed
Irvine
434.7
Kilmarnock
426.4
EPC Rating
Irvine
59.2
Kilmarnock
48.2
Median Income
Irvine
£25,202
Kilmarnock
£24,620
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Kilmarnock more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £127,807 versus £132,002 in Irvine. The most affordable entry point in Irvine is a flat at £84,787, while in Kilmarnock it is a flat at £73,235.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 16% pricier in Irvine (£84,787 vs £73,235).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Irvine prices grew faster — 105% vs 102%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandWith 203.1 offences per 1,000 people, Kilmarnock is the safer of the two – 55% lower than Irvine's 315.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Irvine is other-crime, while in Kilmarnock 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 68.2% in Kilmarnock.
Irvine School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Kilmarnock School Inspection Breakdown
68.2% of 54 schools (47 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Irvine | Kilmarnock |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 54 |
| Primary | 51 | 47 |
| Secondary | 8 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 68.2% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Irvine enjoy 434.7 Mbps on average, while Kilmarnock lags behind at 426.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Irvine and 94.2% in Kilmarnock. Gigabit availability stands at 84.9% in Irvine and 83% in Kilmarnock.
Irvine is the faster of the two by 2% on average download speed (435 vs 426 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Irvine is band D (score 59.2), ahead of Kilmarnock's band E (score 48.2). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,653 in Irvine and £1,492 in Kilmarnock. 44.4% of homes in Irvine have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53% in Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock has more energy-efficient housing — 53% reach band C or above, vs 44.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Irvine has a population of 37,630 while Kilmarnock has 51,390. Median household income is £25,202 in Irvine and £24,620 in Kilmarnock. The median age is 41.8 in Irvine and 37.7 in Kilmarnock. Employment rates stand at 69.9% in Irvine and 76.5% in Kilmarnock.
| Indicator | Irvine | Kilmarnock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,630 | 51,390 |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 37.7 |
| Median Household Income | £25,202 | £24,620 |
| Employment Rate | 69.9% | 76.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.8% | 48.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 27.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Irvine and Kilmarnock?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Irvine or Kilmarnock?
Is Irvine or Kilmarnock safer?
Which has better schools, Irvine or Kilmarnock?
Which has faster broadband, Irvine or Kilmarnock?
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