Irvine vs Largs
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Irvine offers lower property prices by roughly 0%. Irvine has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Irvine edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Irvine
£132,002
Largs
£132,002
Crime Rate
Irvine
315.2
Largs
1053.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Irvine
90.9%
Largs
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Irvine
434.7
Largs
96.7
EPC Rating
Irvine
59.2
Largs
52.8
Median Income
Irvine
£25,202
Largs
£30,587
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Irvine more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £132,002 versus £132,002 in Largs. The most affordable entry point in Irvine is a flat at £84,787, while in Largs 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 ScotlandWith 315.2 offences per 1,000 people, Irvine is the safer of the two – 234% lower than Largs's 1,053.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Irvine is other-crime, while in Largs 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 Largs.
Irvine School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Largs School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Irvine | Largs |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Largs lags behind at 96.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Irvine and 97.6% in Largs. Gigabit availability stands at 84.9% in Irvine and 4.3% in Largs.
Irvine is the faster of the two by 350% on average download speed (435 vs 97 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Irvine is band D (score 59.2), ahead of Largs's band E (score 52.8). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,653 in Irvine and £1,770 in Largs. 44.4% of homes in Irvine have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.1% in Largs.
Irvine has more energy-efficient housing — 44.4% reach band C or above, vs 40.1% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Irvine has a population of 37,630 while Largs has 11,260. Median household income is £30,587 in Largs and £25,202 in Irvine. The median age is 41.8 in Irvine and 39.4 in Largs. Employment rates stand at 69.9% in Irvine and 70.8% in Largs.
| Indicator | Irvine | Largs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,630 | 11,260 |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 39.4 |
| Median Household Income | £25,202 | £30,587 |
| Employment Rate | 69.9% | 70.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.8% | 70.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 29% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Irvine and Largs?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Irvine or Largs?
Is Irvine or Largs safer?
Which has better schools, Irvine or Largs?
Which has faster broadband, Irvine or Largs?
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