Cologne vs Edinburgh Cost of Living

Cologne (Germany) · Overall index 55.9Edinburgh (United Kingdom) · Overall index 59.0

Summary

  • Overall, Edinburgh is 6% more expensive than Cologne.
  • Groceries in Edinburgh is 9% more expensive than in Cologne.
  • Transport in Edinburgh is 7% more expensive than in Cologne.
ItemCologneEdinburghDiff
Rent+1%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,510$1,443-4%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,059$1,162+10%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,908$2,865-1%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,793$1,811+1%
Groceries+9%
Milk (1L)$0.92$0.920%
White bread (500g)$2.89$3.19+10%
Rice (1kg)$3.59$3.73+4%
Eggs (12)$3.82$3.67-4%
Local cheese (1kg)$9.26$11.8+27%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$9.63$9.77+1%
Beef round (1kg)$14.5$14.3-1%
Apples (1kg)$3.8$4.4+16%
Bananas (1kg)$1.46$1.49+2%
Oranges (1kg)$2.95$3.65+24%
Tomatoes (1kg)$3.75$4.12+10%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.16$2.52+17%
Onions (1kg)$1.86$2.33+25%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.88$2.2+17%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.63$1.8+10%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$10.8$10.7-1%
Transport+7%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.62$1.64+1%
Public transport, monthly pass$80.4$74-8%
Taxi, base fare$2.3$2.9+26%
Taxi, per km$1.24$1.29+4%
Gasoline (1L)$0.63$0.68+8%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$18,256$20,187+11%
Dining out+3%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$13.6$14.3+5%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$79.5$93.6+18%
Fast food combo meal$8.72$9.08+4%
Cappuccino$3.9$3.72-5%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.96$1.73-12%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$4.65$4.94+6%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$5.27$5.59+6%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.42$1.43+1%
Telecom+5%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$48$54.3+13%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$44.5$53.6+20%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.28$0.24-14%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$12.6$13+3%
Utilities & household+6%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$120$122+2%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.15$0.16+7%
Tap water (1m³)$3.26$3.41+5%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.06$1.060%
Waste collection (monthly)$17.7$18+2%
Fitness club (monthly)$61.3$61.50%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$10.5$12.3+17%
Men's haircut$24.3$26.7+10%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$16.7$20.3+22%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,506$1,472-2%

3,166 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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