Cost of Living in Edinburgh
Scotland
City
Population: 527,000
Average House Price
£215.8k
-26% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£39,690
+2% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£939/mo
-22% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£1,472Band D / yr
Energy£148/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£40.00/ mo
Bus Pass£71.94/ mo
House Prices in Edinburgh
+3.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£215,830
Detached£350,300
Semi-detached£214,700
Terraced£175,150
Flat / Apartment£129,950
House prices in Edinburgh have increased by +3.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Edinburgh
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£39,690
Mean£44,590
Median hourly rate£19.11/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£27,146
Upper quartile (75th)£52,430
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+1.7%
£651 above national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Edinburgh
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Edinburgh each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £939 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £123 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £148 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £40.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £186 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £262 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £151 |
| Estimated Total | £1,884 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Edinburgh
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£71.94
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.43
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£186
Compare Edinburgh with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Edinburgh stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Edinburgh
- What is the average house price in Edinburgh?
- The average house price in Edinburgh is £215,830, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £350,300, while flats and apartments average £129,950. Prices have risen by +3.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Edinburgh?
- The median annual salary in Edinburgh is £39,690, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £651 above the national average, making it a higher-earning area. Salaries typically range from £27,146 (lower quartile) to £52,430 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Edinburgh?
- Average monthly rent in Edinburgh is £939 per month. Rents have increased by +0.6% over the past year.
- Is Edinburgh an affordable place to live?
- Edinburgh is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 28% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £939, while the median annual salary is £39,690 (approximately £3,308 per month before tax).
- How does Edinburgh compare to London?
- The average house price in Edinburgh is £215,830, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Edinburgh costs around 39% of London prices, making it £335,170 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £939 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Edinburgh?
- House prices in Edinburgh are currently rising, with a +3.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £215,830 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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