Is It Expensive To Live in Scotland in 2024? Cost Of Living in Scotland
Are you planning to move to Scotland and wondering is it expensive to live in Scotland? If the answer is yes- then look no further as I have put together a comprehensive article below that will answer all your questions about expenses in Scotland, the Cost Of Living in Scotland, Utilities and much more.
I have also included my Expert local Tips across all sections which are based on my first-hand experience which can help you cut down your expenses.
Is It Expensive To Live in Scotland?
If we take a holistic view & consider average living expenses, then Scotland is not expensive to live in if we compare it to England.
Having said that, it will still heavily depend on the lifestyle & city you choose to live in Scotland. Cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow & Aberdeen are a bit expensive to live in but still much cheaper if we compare them to London.
Also read ✅ How to plan Scotland trip from London [Ultimate Guide]
Comparing the cost of living in the capital cities London Vs Edinburgh, I can tell from my own experience that you rent a 1bhk for around 700-900 pounds and stay right in the city center in Edinburgh & the same can cost you 1500-1800 or more in London. The cost goes down if you are moving far from the city center in Edinburgh.
The best part about staying in Edinburgh, Scotland is you can reach the city center within walking distance from your home considering you are staying in and around Edinburgh city center.
The transport system of Lothian buses is really good and not crowded. Even if you are staying towards the outer region of Edinburgh like Leith, you can still reach the city center in 15 to 25 minutes by bus. There are no tubes here & taking a bus ride takes around 2 pounds one way which is not very expensive.
If you are planning to move to Scotland, it would be good to get an idea of the costs of living in Scotland & the various expenses that you might incur. I am going to tell you all you need to know about the cost of living in Scotland in 2024 so that you can make an informed decision.
How much do you need to stay comfortably in Scotland?
As stated above, living expenses will depend on the lifestyle & city you choose.
In my personal experience living as an expat, you would need to budget somewhere between 500-900 pounds for accommodation depending on the type of stay (room vs studio vs 1BHK flat) and another 200 pounds for groceries ( considering you are living in cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, etc).
I would add another 100 pounds for transportation & miscellaneous 400 pounds for council tax, electricity, internet etc.
So in total, you would need at least 1600-2000 pounds to live comfortably in cities like Edinburgh (the costliest), Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling etc. This is assuming you are spending around 1000 pounds (~800 pounds rent + 150 council Tax) on accommodation, 200 on groceries, 200 on utilities and 200 pounds on transport & miscellaneous.
However, if you are living in other cities, the total living cost may range between 1400-1700 pounds.
Local Tip: If you can compromise & live in the outskirts of the city, then your rents will be much lower which will reduce the total expense by a significant amount.
Also, another important point is the Council Tax. So depending on the area & property you live in, there will be a certain council tax levied on the property. There are different bands for council tax from A to H so it would be good to contact your Landlord or agent & ask them about the band details and charges before finalizing the property.
Also read: ✅How to Find A Job In Scotland in 2024 [Expert Tips + Guide]
A-band is typically the lowest & H-band is the highest. The average price for council tax might vary between 100 to 300 pounds per month.
| Council Tax Band | Property Value | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £27,000 | Lowest council tax charges |
| Band B | £27,001 – £35,000 | Higher charges compared to Band A but still relatively low |
| Band C | £35,001 – £45,000 | Moderate council tax charges |
| Band D | £45,001 – £58,000 | Average property value for council tax purposes |
| Band E | £58,001 – £80,000 | Significant increase in council tax charges compared to lower bands |
| Band F | £80,001 – £106,000 | Higher council tax charges than Band E |
| Band G | £106,001 – £212,000 | Higher charges reflecting higher property values |
| Band H | Over £212,000 | Typically the highest council tax charges |
The table above should give you a high-level overview of the Bands & the prices. This data is as per ScottBorders.
Cost Of Living In Scotland: Overview
| Item | Cost Of Living in Scotland 2024 Per Month for 1 person |
| Rent | 500-900 Pounds (Shared room (~500), Studio (650), 1 BHK (850) |
| Electricity | 80-100 Pounds |
| Water | Included in Council Tax |
| Council Tax | 100-300 pounds, Considering Band B -100 to 150 Pounds, For Band C, D, E etc it will be higher |
| Wifi | 25-35 Pound considering bandwidth up to 200 Mbps |
| Gas | Between 144 and 160 pence per litre |
| Groceries | 150-200 Pounds for 1 person |
| Laundry | 15 to 20 pounds for weight less than 6 Kg |
| Transportation | 50-100 pounds |
| Dining Out | 50-100 pounds |
| Personal Care | 30-50 pounds |
| Clothing | 50-100 pounds |
| Gym | 20-50 pounds |
| Mobile Phone | 10-30 pounds |
| Car Insurance | 20-100 pounds |
| Pet Care | 20-100 pounds |
Note: The prices above are just approximate estimations as real prices will depend on the city you live in. However, these prices above are good estimates if you are planning to move to expensive cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow etc.
Also read ✅ How to plan Scotland trip from London [Ultimate Guide]
This is based on my first-hand experiences, however, if you want to check out official stats, you can check Numbeo.
Cost Of Living of Student Vs Single Person Vs Family Of 3
From the above Table, you can get a good idea of the expenses & is it expensive to live in Scotland or not.
Here is another YouTube video that talks about the cost of living in Scotland:
Is rent expensive in Scotland?
When it comes to rent-whether it be in Scotland or any country, it is always the biggest expense. The rent prices in the UK are currently very high & it is quite expensive in cities like Edinburgh.
Must Read:✅ How to Rent In Scotland First Timers [Expert Guide]
For rent, I am taking into reference Edinburgh and Glasgow mostly as most of the working crowd stays here and these 2 cities have the most jobs in Scotland. So if you are looking for a job in Scotland then my recommendation is to start with these 2 cities to have maximum chances of landing a job opportunity in Scotland.
Previously in 2022 and 2023, the cost of renting a 1BHK varied between 600 to 750 pounds. Now the same house costs almost 750-900 pounds due to multiple reasons like an increase in interest rates, an influx of new students etc.
Local Tip: If you are looking for budget options, then you should join the Facebook groups for Edinburgh & Glasgow. There are plenty of posts where people rent a big house like a 3BHK or 2BHK & share it with multiple people. This can significantly lower your expenses if you are ready to compromise. However, beware of the scammers & don’t give a deposit without seeing the house.
Cost of living in Scotland per Month
Now let’s deep dive into each expense so that you can budget in what is absolutely necessary vs the optionals.
Utilities:
I have summarized all the utilities below to give you a high-level overview of all the expenses you can expect.
Electricity & Water Costs in Scotland:
For Electricity & Water, I would budget 60-120 pounds for electricity with reasonable use of room heaters & cookers. Prices might slightly differ based on the utility provider you opt-in, however, this range still holds true based on my personal experience & conversation with other acquaintances here.
Local Tip 1: While renting a house, check if the house is installed with Electric Storage heaters or Gas heaters. Storage heaters consume more electricity & can significantly increase your cost in Scottish winters which are harsh.
Local Tip 2: Another way you can save on electricity is by using the heaters during the off-peak hours as the charges are almost as low as half. Check with your electricity provider for the Peak Vs Off-Peak hour timings. The charges per hour range from 20 to 35p.
Also please note, depending on your use of heaters, washing machines & cookers; monthly bills can go as high as 200 pounds. So if you think you will use washing machines, heaters, etc beyond reasonable use, then expect the bills somewhere between 150 to 200 pounds in cities like Edinburgh.
Cost of Wifi in Scotland:
For wifi, you can budget somewhere between 25 to 35 pounds per month for a good connection (speed bandwidth >150 mbps). For cities like Edinburgh, Virgin media and BT are very reliable & widely used but there are cheaper options available aswell.
Sim Card Cost in Scotland:
For sim cards, you have a lot of providers like Lebara, O2, EE, three etc. You can budget somewhere between 10 pounds to 20 pounds on an average per month. Generally all sim cards offer unlimited UK calling with reasonable data use. The first-time purchase cost varies between 5 pounds to 10 pounds.
Groceries:
When it comes to groceries, it might differ from person to person depending on the type & quantity of food you consume.
If you love Non-vegetarian food like chicken and meat, then factor in almost 100-200 pounds every month. A one-time cost of shopping from a mart might be between 20-30 pounds for a single person.
In my personal experience if you are a vegetarian person, then your expenses might be a little low & you can settle between 140-170 pounds. However as I said before, food is very relative & differs from person to person.
Below are grocery prices for some of the most common grocery items based on my first-hand experience. Please note the prices below are estimates & will differ from store to store.
Fresh Produce
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Onions (1 kg) | £1.00 – £1.50 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | £1.50 – £2.20 |
| Potato (1 kg) | £1.00 – £1.50 |
| Eggs (10 pieces) | £2.50 – £3.50 |
| Chicken (250 g) | £2.00 |
Bakery
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Buns (4 to 6 pieces) | £1.00 – £2.00 |
Dairy
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | £1.00 – £1.50 |
Grocery
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Sugar (1 kg) | £1.00 – £2.00 |
| Sunflower Oil (1 kg) | £2.00 – £2.50 |
| Basmati Rice (1 kg) | £2.00 – £2.50 |
Local Tip: In my experience, to get cheaper rates on the grocery, always buy it from Aldi, Lidl or ASDA. If you are buying it from ‘express stores’ like Sainsbury, Tesco express, Co-op etc, then the prices will be higher. The express stores are like small grocery stores inside the city. Sainsbury, Tesco also has big warehouse-type stores that offer discounted prices like Aldi & Lidl.
If you are eating out in restaurants, then please budget at least 15-25 pounds for a single meal for one person. This cost might be lower if you are eating at McDonald’s and other cheaper outlets.
The above picture shows you the typical cost of some of the common items at Mcdonald’s in Edinburgh Scotland.
Transportation:
I felt Scotland is much cheaper in terms of transportation. Buses & trams are pretty good here & are frequent aswell. You can set aside a budget of 50- 80 pounds monthly if you are staying in cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow etc.
Cost Of Public Transport:
You can get a monthly pass under 65 pounds which is great for a city like Edinburgh & covers unlimited city bus, trams, airport buses etc travel. There are no tubes in Edinburgh or Glasgow like London.
In Edinburgh, it costs 2 pounds for a 1-way ticket & you can get a day pass for 5 pounds if you take the Lothian buses. See details below:
| Ticket | Price (GBP) |
|---|---|
| SINGLEticket (Adult) | £2.00 |
| SINGLEticket (Child) | £1.00 |
| DAYticket (Adult) | £5.00 |
| DAYticket (Child) | £2.50 |
| Family DAYticket | £10.50 |
| Network DAYticket (Adult) | £12.00 |
| Network DAYticket (Child) | £6.00 |
| LATEticket | £4.50 |
There are other bus companies like stagecoach etc that run, so prices might slightly differ from city to city & also depends on the bus company.
Fuel prices in Scotland:
Fuel prices (Gas & Diesel) in Scotland range from 150 to 165 pence per liter.
Healthcare:
When it comes to Healthcare, NHS or the National Health Service offers free healthcare in Scotland. Whether you are a citizen or an expat on a visa, you can avail free services in NHS for you, your spouse & immediate family.
There are local GPs which are like small hospitals & then you also have the bigger hospitals for something serious & emergency.
Mostly all the services are free & you don’t need insurance to avail the services. For non-residents, the NHS might charge a fee for the services.
You can check the NHS link to see what are the conditions & situations when you might be charged in NHS.
Tax:
If you are a working professional, you need to pay tax to the government. The tax slabs might slightly differ from England.
| Taxable income | Scotland tax rate | England tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | Up to £12,570 |
| Starter rate | £12,571 to £14,732 (19%) | Not applicable |
| Basic rate | £14,733 to £25,688 (20%) | £12,571 to £50,270 (20%) |
| Intermediate rate | £25,689 to £43,662 (21%) | Not applicable |
| Higher rate | £43,663 to £125,140 (42%) | £50,271 to £150,000 (40%) |
| Top rate | Over £125,140 (47%) | Over £150,000 (45%) |
The data above is as per UK goverment site. So depending on the income bracket you fall in, your monthly tax will differ. You will also have deductions for NI (National insurance) apart from income tax.
Education:
Scotland offers free education in public schools. University education in Scotland is not entirely free for everyone. Scottish students and students from other EU countries may not have to pay tuition fees for their undergraduate degree if they meet certain residency requirements.
Additionally, there are various scholarships, and grants available to help students cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.
Cost of living in Scotland for International students:
If you are an international student planning to take admission in one of the prestigious universities in Glasgow or Edinburgh, then you can set aside a monthly expense of around 1000 pounds.
I would recommend taking the university accommodation & booking it well in advance to save cost on renting a property outside. The renting process is also very tedious & it might be difficult for an international student to get an independent property.
The reason I am saying this is because renting in the UK involves a lot of documentation and guarantees. The process of viewing a house, booking a house & get it finally is a lengthy process. Also, there is huge competition for cheap properties.
So if you can manage the university accommodation then I think 1000 pounds will be enough for monthly expense including food. If not you can look for shared accommodations outside & you can get it somewhere between 400-500 pounds per month.
Cost of living in Scotland as an Expat
If you are moving as an Expat under the skilled worker route, the cost of living will be more or less the same as for someone native. There will be a one-time settling cost when you first move to the country but eventually, you will even it out.
You can refer to the table I posted above to get an idea of how expensive your move to Scotland might be depending on whether you are single or coming with a family.
The minimum salary requirement for a skilled worker visa is now 38,700 pounds which I think will be enough for a family of 2 to live in Scotland.
Does Scotland have a good quality of life?
Scotland has a great quality of life. The air & water in Scotland is second to none. The air quality is awesome with almost no pollution & the water is fairly soft in nature.
The crime rate is very low and it is very safe outside. I have returned late at night and felt safe. It is safe for girls aswell.
You can drink water directly from the taps in Edinburgh which is great. Water quality is also tested regularly here.
Benefits of Living in Scotland:
Here are some of the benefits of living in Scotland:
- High quality of life: Scotland has one of the most cleanest air & purest water.
- Free Education: One of the biggest advantages of living in Scotland is free education for your kids.
- Free NHS: The health services are free and with the population being low, you get good health services.
- Cheap Public Transport: Scotland’s public transport is comparably cheaper than that of cities like London.
- Beautiful Landscapes: Scotland has a lot to explore if you love to travel with rich history, heritage & scenic landscapes.
Conclusion: Is It Expensive To Live in Scotland in 2024?
Still wondering Is It Expensive To Live in Scotland? So in a nutshell, it’s not expensive to live in Scotland if compared to that of England or other Western countries. The quality of life in Scotland is good with great opportunities and attractions.
If you are someone who loves to travel then, Scotland has a lot of options to explore in terms of beaches, mountains, Lochs & many more. I fell in love with Scotland & I am sure you will too.
To summarize:
- The cost of living in Scotland is approximately £1000 for essential items per month. This estimation is for 1 person which includes shared accommodation, council tax, groceries & transport for cities like Edinburgh. For independent flats like 1 BHK, you can expect a total expense of atleast 1500 pounds.
- If you want to enjoy food & drinks at restaurants with a bit of shopping, then add in another 200-300 pounds. The cost will be lower if you don’t stay in cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
FAQs:
What part of Scotland is best to live?
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen are some of the best locations to stay in Scotland if you plan to work & stay in Scotland.
Is Scotland expensive to buy a house?
Scotland is cheap for buying properties and houses as compared to the rest of the UK.
Is 50k pounds a good salary in Scotland?
50k salary is a very good salary in Scotland to live a comfortable life in anywhere in Scotland (including Edinburgh & Glasgow)
Is it cheaper to live in England or Scotland?
In terms of the average cost of living, Scotland is cheaper to live in.
