A SCOTTISH town just 30 minutes away from Glasgow is home to some of the cheapest homes in the UK.
Experts at RightMove have provided a rundown of the most affordable locations across Britain.
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The town centre was praised for its shopping optionsCredit: Getty
The study compared different areas to buy a house in a bid to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder.
And it found that a town in East Ayrshire came out on top, offering homes with average property prices lower than the national average.
Kilmarnock was named the cheapest area for first-time buyers, with the average asking price coming in at £84,325.
According to the Registers of Scotland and the UK House Price Index from HM Land Registry, the average house price across Scotland in May 2025 was £192,000.
Across the UK, a home sold for an average of £269,000 in the same month.
However, in Kilmarnock, the average house price in East Ayrshire was £129,000 – which is £63,000 less than the national average, and £140,000 less than the UK average.
Detached properties went for an average of £215,000, while semi-detached properties came in at around £142,000.
Flats and maisonettes sold for around £73,000 on average, and a terraced property came in at £111,000.
And locals have praised the town for being a friendly place which have a vibrant shopping scene.
VisitScotland also noted that the town centre has a wide range of different shops which provide a “great retail mix”.
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It also highlights the various attractions in Kilmarnock and the activities that families and visitors can enjoy.
The travel experts say: “Located in the heart of Ayrshire, Kilmarnock has much to offer with its unique mix of culture, retail and leisure.
“The town centre is well-known for its wide range of independent niche shops which, combined with many of the familiar high street stores, offers a great retail mix.”
“Bank Street is 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 Dick Institute and Palace Theatre offer first class cultural and leisure experiences within the town centre, with the Burns Monument Centre close by in the beautiful setting of Kay Park.
“Dean Castle and Country Park offer a fantastic day out for all the family with a programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year.”
One resident told the Daily Record that the shopping areas draw locals and visitors alike, but says he wishes there were bigger companies in the area to offer people more job opportunities.
Andrew Reith, 41, of Zenith Coins, said: “The town has some nice parks, and there are a few places 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.”
The 10 cheapest areas for first-time buyers across the UK
HERE is the full list of the 10 cheapest areas for first-time buyers across the UK
- Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
- Greenock, Inverclyde
- Grimsby, Lincolnshire
- Blackpool, Lancashire
- Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
- Hartlepool, Tees Valley
- Paisley, Renfrewshire
- East Kilbride, Lanarkshire
- Ayr, Ayrshire
- Burnley, Lancashire
However, others said some people could be put off by the lack of local schools.
Another resident 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.”
David McDowall, head of economic growth in East Ayrshire Council, told the Daily Record there are several factors drawing more people to the town.
He 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.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
David also noted that “weathered the storm of closures of the mass industries such as whisky bottling, shoe making, carpet making, textiles and heavy engineering”.
But added that it is now “experiencing a resurgence” with new small and medium enterprises.
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John Finnie Street in Kilmarnock, a town which has some of the cheapest properties across the UKCredit: Getty