Vibrant Scottish town with some of UK's cheapest houses is packed with 'charming' streets
An historic town in East Ayrshire has been crowned one of the UK's most affordable places to live, with locals praising its bustling shopping scene and welcoming atmosphere. Property website Rightmove has ranked Kilmarnock as Scotland's top spot for first-time buyers, offering average house prices significantly below the national average.
Rightmove reports that homes in Kilmarnock have sold for an average of £154,688 over the past year. Flats have been snapped up for an average of £75,868, while semi-detached properties have commanded £161,391 and terraced houses £115,793.
Prices have risen by seven per cent compared to 2024 and are four per cent higher than the 2022 peak. This news comes after images show the cheapest seaside spot in England is full of abandoned £40k homes 'nobody wants'.
Home to over 47,000 people, Kilmarnock's housing costs are more than five times lower than London, where the average flat will set you back a whopping £590,543. The town's blend of cultural heritage, green spaces and retail options has made it a popular choice for homebuyers.
Kilmarnock is home to a wealth of cultural landmarks, including Scotland's largest Burns Monument, the Dick Institute and the Palace Theatre. The town centre boasts a range of independent shops as well as popular high street brands, reports the Daily Record.
The tourism board Visit Scotland has described Bank Street as: "a charming cobbled street in the historic core, with the elegant John Finnie Street boasting one of the best examples of provincial Victorian architecture in Scotland."
The board also spotlighted Dean Castle and Country Park as "a fantastic day out for all the family" and commended the Burns Monument Centre's picturesque location in Kay Park.
For many locals, the town's charm and easy access are its main attractions. Andrew Reith, 41, who runs Zenith Coins and has been working in Kilmarnock for five years, said: "The town has some nice parks, and there are a few spots for public entertainment. The shopping area is quite popular, and both tourists and locals enjoy wandering around it.
"What I feel is that the town could benefit from a couple of large organisations, such as factories, to create more job opportunities for people living in the area." However, not everyone shares this positive view. One local told The Express: "Many people in Kilmarnock rely on Government benefits and lack ambition and zeal to work.
"Most people are looking to send their children to the schools in Troon which is around 15 to 20 minutes away from Kilmarnock and is home to some of the most affluent people in the town." While some streets offer homes priced between £75,000 and £84,000, others feature properties worth £500,000.
Tracey Oakley, a property adviser with Donald Ross Residential, noted: "Kilmarnock is a huge area and it would not be right to say that the houses are cheap [everywhere] here. The town is not very far from Glasgow and has a lovely shopping centre. "The properties which are put on the market are being sold in just two to six weeks, showing its popularity among the buyers."
East Ayrshire Council says the town's energy is being enhanced by regeneration initiatives. David McDowall, head of economic growth, said: "We are happy to see Kilmarnock is featuring as one of the more economical places to live.
"Over the past 15 years, our Regeneration and Business Support teams have attracted investment to enable the redevelopment of the town centre...breathing new life into the town's conservation area."
He added that Kilmarnock has "weathered the storm of closures of the mass industries such as whisky bottling, shoe making, carpet making, textiles and heavy engineering" and is now "experiencing a resurgence" with new small and medium enterprises.
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