🇬🇧 Edinburgh vs 🇨🇭 Geneva

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇬🇧

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

$2,338–$3,703/mo

£1,841 – £2,916 / month (local)

🇨🇭

Geneva

Switzerland

$3,446–$5,456/mo

CHF3,077 – CHF4,871 / month (local)

Geneva is 47% more expensive

Edinburgh wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryEdinburgh (USD)Geneva (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,754–$2,728$2,585–$4,021🟢 Edinburgh
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$926–$1,462$1,364–$2,154🟢 Edinburgh
Utilities$73–$141$108–$208🟢 Edinburgh
Groceries$370–$555$546–$818🟢 Edinburgh
Eating out (mid-range meal)$49–$88$72–$129🟢 Edinburgh
Public transport (monthly)$93–$112$136–$165🟢 Edinburgh
Internet & Mobile$29–$49$43–$72🟢 Edinburgh
Gym membership$34–$63$50–$93🟢 Edinburgh
Cinema ticket$14–$18$20–$26🟢 Edinburgh
Monthly total (single)$2,338–$3,703$3,446–$5,456🟢 Edinburgh

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing4.9 / 10 · 2.4 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Safety8.8 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Healthcare8.8 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Education8.4 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Environment9.2 / 10 · 9.1 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Economy7.5 / 10 · 7.4 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Culture8.1 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva
Internet8.5 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
Geneva

Who should choose which city?

Choose Edinburgh if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Geneva
  • ✓Festivals
  • ✓Universities
  • ✓Scenery
  • ✓Fintech

Choose Geneva if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Geneva offers vs Edinburgh
  • ✓NGOs
  • ✓Lake
  • ✓International schools
  • ✓Diplomacy

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Full Edinburgh guide

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Full Geneva guide

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Explore Geneva →