🇬🇧 Edinburgh vs 🇬🇧 London

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇬🇧

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

$2,338–$3,703/mo

£1,841 – £2,916 / month (local)

🇬🇧

London

United Kingdom

$3,015–$4,774/mo

£2,374 – £3,759 / month (local)

London is 29% more expensive

Edinburgh wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryEdinburgh (USD)London (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,754–$2,728$2,262–$3,518🟢 Edinburgh
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$926–$1,462$1,194–$1,885🟢 Edinburgh
Utilities$73–$141$94–$182🟢 Edinburgh
Groceries$370–$555$477–$716🟢 Edinburgh
Eating out (mid-range meal)$49–$88$63–$113🟢 Edinburgh
Public transport (monthly)$93–$112$119–$144🟢 Edinburgh
Internet & Mobile$29–$49$38–$63🟢 Edinburgh
Gym membership$34–$63$44–$82🟢 Edinburgh
Cinema ticket$14–$18$18–$23🟢 Edinburgh
Monthly total (single)$2,338–$3,703$3,015–$4,774🟢 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 · 2.8 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Safety8.8 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Healthcare8.8 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Education8.4 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Environment9.2 / 10 · 8.5 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Economy7.5 / 10 · 6.8 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Culture8.1 / 10 · 7.4 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London
Internet8.5 / 10 · 7.8 / 10
Edinburgh▲ better
London

Who should choose which city?

Choose Edinburgh if…

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

Choose London if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what London offers vs Edinburgh
  • ✓Global finance
  • ✓Culture
  • ✓Transit
  • ✓Finance

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📊

Full Edinburgh guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Edinburgh →

📊

Full London guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore London →