Kilbirnie vs Saltcoats
Which is better to live in? Distance: 8.3 miles apart.
The verdict
When it comes to cost of living, Kilbirnie wins on house prices with a 0% gap. Saltcoats has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Kilbirnie edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Kilbirnie
£132,002
Saltcoats
£132,002
Crime Rate
Kilbirnie
1616.1
Saltcoats
364.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Kilbirnie
90.9%
Saltcoats
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Kilbirnie
429.9
Saltcoats
459.1
EPC Rating
Kilbirnie
54.8
Saltcoats
70.7
Median Income
Kilbirnie
£30,638
Saltcoats
£35,988
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandAt £132,002, Kilbirnie undercuts Saltcoats (£132,002) by around 0% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Kilbirnie 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 Kilbirnie (£258,273 vs £258,273).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Kilbirnie prices grew faster — 105% vs 105%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandResidents of Saltcoats experience less crime overall, with a rate of 364.5 per 1,000 versus 1,616.1 per 1,000 in Kilbirnie. The most common crime category in Kilbirnie 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 ScotlandOf the 59 schools in Kilbirnie, 90.9% are in the top two inspection bands. In Saltcoats, which has 59 schools, the figure is 90.9%.
Kilbirnie 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 | Kilbirnie | Saltcoats |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 59 | 59 |
| Primary | 51 | 51 |
| Secondary | 8 | 8 |
| % Top two bands | 90.9% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Saltcoats averages 459.1 Mbps – ahead of Kilbirnie's 429.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.1% of premises in Kilbirnie and 97.6% in Saltcoats. Gigabit availability stands at 84% in Kilbirnie and 90.2% in Saltcoats.
Saltcoats is the faster of the two by 7% on average download speed (459 vs 430 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Saltcoats leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70.7 (C), while Kilbirnie averages 54.8 (D). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,593 in Kilbirnie and £1,198 in Saltcoats. 34.2% of homes in Kilbirnie 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 34.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £35,988 in Saltcoats and £30,638 in Kilbirnie. The median age is 40.2 in Kilbirnie and 46.1 in Saltcoats. Owner-occupancy is 57.3% in Kilbirnie versus 65.9% in Saltcoats. Employment rates stand at 72.2% in Kilbirnie and 75.4% in Saltcoats.
| Indicator | Kilbirnie | Saltcoats |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,340 | 32,540 |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 46.1 |
| Median Household Income | £30,638 | £35,988 |
| Employment Rate | 72.2% | 75.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 57.3% | 65.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 36.4% | 28% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Kilbirnie and Saltcoats?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Kilbirnie or Saltcoats?
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