Penicuik vs Tranent
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Penicuik is about 1% cheaper on average. Penicuik has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Penicuik edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Penicuik
£277,911
Tranent
£281,427
Crime Rate
Penicuik
474.8
Tranent
579.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Penicuik
74.3%
Tranent
71.4%
Avg Download Speed
Penicuik
442.1
Tranent
477
EPC Rating
Penicuik
51.3
Tranent
63.5
Median Income
Penicuik
£33,852
Tranent
£25,685
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in ScotlandBuyers will find Penicuik more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £277,911 versus £281,427 in Tranent. The most affordable entry point in Penicuik is a flat at £159,354, while in Tranent it is a flat at £164,424.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 9% pricier in Tranent (£530,642 vs £483,407).
Price Trend (23 Years)
Over the last 21 years, Tranent prices grew faster — 127% vs 122%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in ScotlandCrime is lower in Penicuik (474.8 per 1,000) compared to Tranent (579.2 per 1,000), a 22% difference. The most common crime category in Penicuik is other-crime, while in Tranent 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 Penicuik: 74.3% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 71.4% in Tranent.
Penicuik School Inspection Breakdown
74.3% of 39 schools (33 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Tranent School Inspection Breakdown
71.4% of 41 schools (34 primary, 7 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Penicuik | Tranent |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 39 | 41 |
| Primary | 33 | 34 |
| Secondary | 6 | 7 |
| % Top two bands | 74.3% | 71.4% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Tranent enjoy 477.0 Mbps on average, while Penicuik lags behind at 442.1 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.1% of premises in Penicuik and 98% in Tranent. Gigabit availability stands at 86.2% in Penicuik and 94.3% in Tranent.
Tranent is the faster of the two by 8% on average download speed (477 vs 442 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Tranent is band D (score 63.5), ahead of Penicuik's band E (score 51.3). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,423 in Penicuik and £1,300 in Tranent. 52.6% of homes in Penicuik have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 40.4% in Tranent.
Penicuik has more energy-efficient housing — 52.6% reach band C or above, vs 40.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Penicuik has a population of 16,120 while Tranent has 12,140. Median household income is £33,852 in Penicuik and £25,685 in Tranent. The median age is 38.9 in Penicuik and 43.4 in Tranent. Employment rates stand at 77.9% in Penicuik and 76.7% in Tranent.
| Indicator | Penicuik | Tranent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,120 | 12,140 |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 43.4 |
| Median Household Income | £33,852 | £25,685 |
| Employment Rate | 77.9% | 76.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 63.8% | 61.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 29.7% | 26.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Penicuik and Tranent?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Penicuik or Tranent?
Is Penicuik or Tranent safer?
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Which has faster broadband, Penicuik or Tranent?
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