Cost of Living in Scotland 2026

City-by-city comparison of rent, salaries, groceries, transport, and everyday costs across 20 Scottish cities and towns.

Average index

Most affordable

Kilmarnock

Most expensive

Edinburgh

City	Cost Index	Avg Salary	2-bed Rent	Avg House Price	vs London
EdinburghLothian	118	£38,500	£1,250/m	£325,000	28% cheaper
St AndrewsFife	112	£31,000	£925/m	£295,000	25% cheaper
AberdeenNorth East	108	£37,800	£825/m	£165,000	32% cheaper
GlasgowGreater Glasgow	105	£35,200	£875/m	£178,000	35% cheaper
Fort WilliamHighlands	104	£29,500	£700/m	£205,000	30% cheaper
StirlingCentral	102	£34,500	£800/m	£228,000	33% cheaper
InvernessHighlands	100	£32,800	£750/m	£195,000	36% cheaper
PerthTayside	99	£33,200	£750/m	£218,000	37% cheaper
DunfermlineFife	96	£33,500	£700/m	£185,000	38% cheaper
LivingstonLothian	96	£34,200	£725/m	£195,000	38% cheaper
DundeeTayside	95	£32,500	£675/m	£148,000	40% cheaper
FalkirkCentral	93	£32,800	£650/m	£168,000	40% cheaper
East KilbrideGreater Glasgow	92	£33,800	£650/m	£165,000	42% cheaper
PaisleyGreater Glasgow	91	£32,500	£650/m	£148,000	43% cheaper
HamiltonGreater Glasgow	90	£32,200	£625/m	£158,000	43% cheaper
KirkcaldyFife	90	£31,500	£600/m	£145,000	42% cheaper
AyrSouth West	88	£30,500	£600/m	£162,000	45% cheaper
CumbernauldGreater Glasgow	88	£32,500	£600/m	£145,000	44% cheaper
DumfriesSouth West	86	£29,800	£575/m	£155,000	46% cheaper
KilmarnockSouth West	85	£30,200	£550/m	£132,000	47% cheaper

Data: Numbeo, ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Zoopla, Scottish Government statistics. Cost index: 100 = Scotland average. Figures are approximate and based on the most recent available data (April 2026).