Edinburgh vs London Cost of Living

Edinburgh (United Kingdom) · Overall index 59.0London (United Kingdom) · Overall index 83.4

Summary

  • Overall, London is 41% more expensive than Edinburgh.
  • Rent in London is 112% more expensive than in Edinburgh.
  • Transport in London is 30% more expensive than in Edinburgh.
ItemEdinburghLondonDiff
Rent+112%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,443$2,992+107%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,162$2,223+91%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,865$6,498+127%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,811$4,097+126%
Groceries+25%
Milk (1L)$0.92$1.21+32%
White bread (500g)$3.19$4.07+28%
Rice (1kg)$3.73$4.67+25%
Eggs (12)$3.67$4.37+19%
Local cheese (1kg)$11.8$14.3+21%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$9.77$11+13%
Beef round (1kg)$14.3$17.4+22%
Apples (1kg)$4.4$5.26+20%
Bananas (1kg)$1.49$1.98+33%
Oranges (1kg)$3.65$4.45+22%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.12$5.8+41%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.52$2.72+8%
Onions (1kg)$2.33$2.83+21%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.2$2.51+14%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.8$2.52+40%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$10.7$15.9+49%
Transport+30%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.64$2.53+54%
Public transport, monthly pass$74$113+53%
Taxi, base fare$2.9$3.64+26%
Taxi, per km$1.29$1.7+32%
Gasoline (1L)$0.68$0.78+15%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$20,187$22,721+13%
Dining out+29%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$14.3$21.7+52%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$93.6$106+13%
Fast food combo meal$9.08$9.63+6%
Cappuccino$3.72$4.39+18%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.73$2.43+40%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$4.94$7.39+50%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$5.59$7.95+42%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.43$1.76+23%
Telecom+14%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$54.3$51.7-5%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$53.6$63.5+18%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.24$0.33+38%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13$14.4+11%
Utilities & household+26%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$122$155+27%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.16$0.22+38%
Tap water (1m³)$3.41$4.47+31%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.06$1.5+42%
Waste collection (monthly)$18$20.8+16%
Fitness club (monthly)$61.5$85.7+39%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$12.3$16+30%
Men's haircut$26.7$27+1%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$20.3$24+18%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,472$1,856+26%

3,011 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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