Irvine vs Saltcoats
Which is better to live in? Distance: 5.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Irvine is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 0% lower. Irvine has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Irvine edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Irvine
£132,002
Saltcoats
£132,002
Crime Rate
Irvine
315.2
Saltcoats
364.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Irvine
90.9%
Saltcoats
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Irvine
434.7
Saltcoats
459.1
EPC Rating
Irvine
59.2
Saltcoats
70.7
Median Income
Irvine
£25,202
Saltcoats
£35,988
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandProperty in Saltcoats commands an average of £132,002, compared with £132,002 in Irvine – a difference of 0%. The most affordable entry point in Irvine is a flat at £84,787, while in Saltcoats 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 ScotlandIrvine has a crime rate of 315.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 16% lower than Saltcoats at 364.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Irvine is other-crime, while in Saltcoats 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 Irvine, where 90.9% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90.9% in Saltcoats. There are 59 schools in Irvine and 59 in Saltcoats.
Irvine School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Saltcoats School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 59 schools (51 primary, 8 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Irvine | Saltcoats |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 459.1 Mbps in Saltcoats and 434.7 Mbps in Irvine. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Irvine and 97.6% in Saltcoats. Gigabit availability stands at 84.9% in Irvine and 90.2% in Saltcoats.
Saltcoats is the faster of the two by 6% on average download speed (459 vs 435 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Saltcoats, scoring 70.7 on average (band C) compared to 59.2 (band D) in Irvine. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,653 in Irvine and £1,198 in Saltcoats. 44.4% of homes in Irvine have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 47.2% in Saltcoats.
Saltcoats has more energy-efficient housing — 47.2% reach band C or above, vs 44.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,988 in Saltcoats and £25,202 in Irvine. The median age is 41.8 in Irvine and 46.1 in Saltcoats. Employment rates stand at 69.9% in Irvine and 75.4% in Saltcoats. Owner-occupancy is 60.8% in Irvine versus 65.9% in Saltcoats. Irvine has a population of 37,630 and Saltcoats has 32,540.
| Indicator | Irvine | Saltcoats |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,630 | 32,540 |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 46.1 |
| Median Household Income | £25,202 | £35,988 |
| Employment Rate | 69.9% | 75.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 60.8% | 65.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27% | 28% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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