Scottish Borders: Property, Schools and Retirement Costs
Across the 15 Scottish Borders locations we cover, the average property price is £222,000 and Band D council tax averages £1,619. Melrose is the most expensive at £320,000, Hawick the least at £135,000.
Across the 15 Scottish Borders locations we cover, the average property price is £222,000 and Band D council tax averages £1,619. Melrose is the most expensive at £320,000, Hawick the least at £135,000.
Buying a home in Scottish Borders
The county average is £222,000. Schools in Scotland are inspected by Education Scotland rather than Ofsted, so there are no Ofsted grades; check individual inspection reports. School quality is the main reason prices differ between towns a few miles apart.
A 10% deposit on the county average is £22,200. Melrose runs 44% above that average, so the same deposit reaches further in Hawick.
Average property price across Scottish Borders
Later life and property wealth in Scottish Borders
Owners aged 55 and over across Scottish Borders sit on an average £222,000 of property value. Typical release at 65 is around £75,480, 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 Scottish Borders
Band D council tax averages £1,619 across these locations. That is £135 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melrose | £320,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Peebles | £320,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| St Boswells | £320,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Kelso | £260,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Lauder | £230,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Innerleithen | £220,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Duns | £200,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Earlston | £200,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Jedburgh | £200,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Chirnside | £190,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Selkirk | £190,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Coldstream | £185,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Eyemouth | £185,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Galashiels | £175,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
| Hawick | £135,000 | £1,619 | 0 | Mortgage, Equity release, Pensions |
Compare towns directly
Side by side on price, deposit, schools and running costs.
Ask about Chirnside
Three details is all we need. You are told before anything is passed to a partner firm.
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Guides across Scottish Borders
- Chirnside: School Catchments and House Prices in Chirnside, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Chirnside, Downsizing in Chirnside: What You Would Actually Release, Council Tax in Chirnside: What Band D Really Costs
- Coldstream: School Catchments and House Prices in Coldstream, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Coldstream, Downsizing in Coldstream: What You Would Actually Release
- Duns: School Catchments and House Prices in Duns, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Duns, Downsizing in Duns: What You Would Actually Release
- Earlston: School Catchments and House Prices in Earlston
- Eyemouth: School Catchments and House Prices in Eyemouth
- Galashiels: School Catchments and House Prices in Galashiels, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Galashiels, Downsizing in Galashiels: What You Would Actually Release
- Hawick: School Catchments and House Prices in Hawick, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Hawick, Downsizing in Hawick: What You Would Actually Release
- Innerleithen: School Catchments and House Prices in Innerleithen, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Innerleithen, Downsizing in Innerleithen: What You Would Actually Release
- Jedburgh: School Catchments and House Prices in Jedburgh
- Kelso: School Catchments and House Prices in Kelso, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Kelso, Downsizing in Kelso: What You Would Actually Release
- Lauder: School Catchments and House Prices in Lauder, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Lauder, Downsizing in Lauder: What You Would Actually Release
- Melrose: School Catchments and House Prices in Melrose, The Real Cost of Buying a First Home in Melrose, Downsizing in Melrose: What You Would Actually Release
- Peebles: School Catchments and House Prices in Peebles
- Selkirk: School Catchments and House Prices in Selkirk
- St Boswells: School Catchments and House Prices in St Boswells
Check broadband before you make an offer in Scottish Borders
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Scottish Borders, 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 Scottish Borders?
How much is council tax in Scottish Borders?
Does That's Family Finance cover the whole of Scottish Borders?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Scottish Borders?
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.