Which has cheaper rent - Edinburgh or Glasgow?

Glasgow has the cheaper typical 2-bed rent at £1,100/month, versus £1,450/month in Edinburgh - a difference of £350/month or £4,200/year. Figures are ONS Private Rental Prices medians for 2026/27.

Which city has higher median salary?

Edinburgh has the higher full-time median annual salary at £37,440, versus £34,840 in Glasgow - a gap of £2,600/year (ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2024).

Where does a £50,000 salary go further after rent and council tax?

On £50,000 gross, after typical rent and Band D council tax, you keep £353/month more in Glasgow. Detailed comparison at four salary levels is in the table above.

Do Edinburgh and Glasgow use the same tax system?

Yes - both are in Scotland, so the same UK income tax bands apply. The differences come from rent, council tax and local median pay.

Buying power · 2026/27

Edinburgh vs Glasgow: Buying Power Compared

Side-by-side take-home after typical 2-bed rent and council tax in Edinburgh (Scotland) and Glasgow (Scotland) across four salary levels.

Side-by-side monthly buying power

Salary	Edinburgh /mo after rent & CT	Glasgow /mo after rent & CT	Difference
£35,000	£812	£1,165	+£353 (Glasgow)
£50,000	£1,589	£1,941	+£353 (Glasgow)
£75,000	£2,754	£3,106	+£353 (Glasgow)
£100,000	£3,858	£4,211	+£353 (Glasgow)

Take-home uses region-correct UK tax bands. Rent is the median 2-bed; council tax is Band D (England methodology).

Key cost deltas

Edinburgh

2-bed rent: £1,450/mo
Council tax Band D: £1,560/yr
Median annual pay: £37,440
Country: Scotland

Glasgow

2-bed rent: £1,100/mo
Council tax Band D: £1,530/yr
Median annual pay: £34,840
Country: Scotland

Frequently asked questions

Which has cheaper rent - Edinburgh or Glasgow?: Glasgow has the cheaper typical 2-bed rent at £1,100/month, versus £1,450/month in Edinburgh - a difference of £350/month or £4,200/year. Figures are ONS Private Rental Prices medians for 2026/27.
Which city has higher median salary?: Edinburgh has the higher full-time median annual salary at £37,440, versus £34,840 in Glasgow - a gap of £2,600/year (ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2024).
Where does a £50,000 salary go further after rent and council tax?: On £50,000 gross, after typical rent and Band D council tax, you keep £353/month more in Glasgow. Detailed comparison at four salary levels is in the table above.
Do Edinburgh and Glasgow use the same tax system?: Yes - both are in Scotland, so the same UK income tax bands apply. The differences come from rent, council tax and local median pay.