Scotland is well-known for its whisky distilleries, bagpipes, vibrant music scene, and picturesque lochs spread out over the nation. Scotland is a well-liked holiday destination for people from all over the world because of its beautiful landscape and architecture, hearty cuisine, and renowned golf courses, but what is the average cost of living in Scotland?
| How much do you need to live comfortably in Scotland? | You can live comfortably, covering expenses and setting aside money for savings, in Scotland with a monthly salary of £2,485, which is below the average salary |
| Is rent expensive in Scotland? |
The average rental price for 1 bedroom in Scotland was £710 per month in 2024 |
| How much does it cost to live in Scotland per month? | Not including rent, the average cost of living in Scotland per month is around £645 |
According to the Scottish Government, between 2021 and 2023, Scotland experienced a real cost-of-living crisis and the worst inflation shock since the early 1980s. However, the cost of living in Scotland remains slightly lower than in the UK as a whole. Furthermore, in recent months, the inflation rate has fallen, returning close to the 2% target set by the Bank of England.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Scotland?
Figures compiled by Livingcost.org show that the average cost of living in Scotland is £1,355 per person, including rent. Without rent, however, the average cost is £645. For a family of four, the average cost of living is £3,386 with rent, while without rent it is £1,974. The cost of living in Scotland is 1.15 times lower than the UK average.
According to the Scottish Government, the average monthly salary for employees in Scotland is £2,485 (December 2024), an increase of 4.8% over the same period last year. With an average salary, it is therefore possible to live comfortably in Scotland, covering expenses and putting money aside for savings.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight that between October 2022 and October 2024, average wage growth in Scotland exceeded inflation, meaning that many households saw their standard of living improve. However, the rise in the cost of living has hit low-income households hardest.
Is rent expensive in Scotland?
According to the Scottish Government, between 2023 and 2024 the price of 1 bedroom rent has increased roughly 9.6%, with the average rental price in Scotland reaching £710 per month in December 2024. By the end of September 2024, the lowest monthly rent for studio flats was in Dumfries and Galloway (£434), whereas the highest was in Lothian (£1,013).
That said, according to Numbeo.com, in Scotland’s most expensive city, Edinburgh, rent costs are 44.4% less than that of London. In Aberdeen, living costs on average are slightly lower, reaching nearly £895 per month, not including rent.
How much does it cost to live in Scotland per month?
Not including rent, the average cost of living in Scotland per month is around £645, but how does this number break down in terms of monthly expenses? Here’s a look at how much people pay in Scotland for basic living expenses.
Utilities
Like other goods and services, the price of utilities like gas and electricity has climbed significantly over the past year all across the UK, including in Scotland. The most expensive cities are Edinburgh (£276) and Glasgow (£269). Although electricity and gas prices went down in 2023 and 2024, they’re still way higher than in 2021.
Groceries
In recent years, food prices have risen sharply, putting household finances under strain. The peak came in March 2023, when annual food price inflation reached 19.2%, the highest level since 1977. Similar to the rest of the UK, in Scotland, depending on food and lifestyle, a single person might anticipate spending between £400 and £500 per month on groceries.
Transportation
When it comes to transportation in Scotland, on average people spend around £100-120 each month on public transit and petrol. While the prices have gone up for almost everything, especially food, petrol and utilities, due to inflation and geopolitical conflict in Europe, to respond to the dramatic rise in the cost of living, the government has expanded its support for households.
Financial tips
How can you invest your money so that you are able to better afford the living cost in Scotland? Though Scotland is a bit more expensive than other places in the UK, such as Northern Ireland, with good financial planning you can develop an investment portfolio that can provide enough income for you to be able to afford living in the area.
Open a general investment account, and with the help of a financial advisor, you can come with an investment strategy to provide income so you can afford to live in Scotland.
FAQs
Most Scottish cities have cost of living differences between them and popular UK cities of about 10%. In fact, establishing a business in London is said to cost 30% more than living in Scotland! The cheaper cost of housing in Scotland is the primary reason for the lower average cost of living.
To live comfortably in Scotland, you need a salary of between £30,000 and £45,000 per year, while a salary of between £60,000 and £70,000 per year offers a very comfortable lifestyle and opportunities for savings and investment. However, this depends on your lifestyle and the city you live in.
According to the Scottish Parliament, Scotland has the third-highest median gross annual wage of the UK’s nations and regions, which is higher than the overall average at £26,007 per year. Scotland has the same median gross weekly wage as the rest of the UK at £504, making it the third highest among all the countries and regions.
According to Numbeo.com, the cost of living in Glasgow, including rent, is 5.5% lower than in Edinburgh, with rent prices in particular 14.6% higher in Edinburgh than Glasgow.
*As with all investing, financial instruments involve inherent risks, including loss of capital, market fluctuations and liquidity risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. It is important to consider your risk tolerance and investment objectives before proceeding.
