Orkney: Property, Schools and Retirement Costs
Across the 3 Orkney locations we cover, the average property price is £188,333 and Band D council tax averages £1,669. Kirkwall is the most expensive at £200,000, St Margaret's Hope the least at £180,000.
Across the 3 Orkney locations we cover, the average property price is £188,333 and Band D council tax averages £1,669. Kirkwall is the most expensive at £200,000, St Margaret's Hope the least at £180,000.
Buying a home in Orkney
The county average is £188,333. Across these locations no schools hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating and no schools are rated Good. School quality is the main reason prices differ between towns a few miles apart.
A 10% deposit on the county average is £18,833. Kirkwall runs 6% above that average, so the same deposit reaches further in St Margaret's Hope.
Average property price across Orkney
Later life and property wealth in Orkney
Owners aged 55 and over across Orkney sit on an average £188,333 of property value. Typical release at 65 is around £64,033, and interest compounds against the estate from day one.
Downsizing within the county is the alternative most people skip. It costs fees and stamp duty but carries no compounding interest. Both routes are compared in the town guides below.
Retirement costs across Orkney
Band D council tax averages £1,669 across these locations. That is £139 a month before anything else. Authorities set their own rate, so the bill can change with a short move.
Housing is the fixed line in any retirement budget. Each town guide converts the local figure into the pot needed to cover it at a 4% withdrawal rate.
Towns at a glance
| Town | Average price | Band D | Good or better schools | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkwall | £200,000 | £1,669 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Stromness | £185,000 | £1,669 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| St Margaret's Hope | £180,000 | £1,669 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
Compare towns directly
Side by side on price, deposit, schools and running costs.
Ask about Kirkwall
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Guides across Orkney
- Kirkwall: School Catchments and House Prices in Kirkwall, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Kirkwall, Downsizing in Kirkwall: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Kirkwall: What Band D Really Costs
- St Margaret's Hope: School Catchments and House Prices in St Margaret's Hope, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in St Margaret's Hope, Downsizing in St Margaret's Hope: What You Would Actually Release
- Stromness: School Catchments and House Prices in Stromness, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Stromness, Downsizing in Stromness: What You Would Actually Release
Check broadband before you make an offer in Orkney
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Orkney, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
We can introduce you to a specialist who can combine your mobile, broadband and utilities into one bill. There's no fee for the introduction.
We don't provide these services ourselves. Switching household bills is not a regulated financial service, so FCA protections and the Financial Ombudsman do not apply. We'll only pass your details to the specialist if you ask us to. See our privacy notice.
Questions people ask
Where are house prices highest in Orkney?
How much is council tax in Orkney?
Does That's Family Finance cover the whole of Orkney?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Orkney?
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.