Which has cheaper rent - Edinburgh or Glasgow?

Glasgow has the cheaper typical 2-bed rent at £1,100/month, versus £1,325/month in Edinburgh - a difference of £225/month or £2,700/year. Figures are ONS Price Index of Private Rents 2-bed averages.

Which city has higher median salary?

Edinburgh has the higher full-time median annual salary at £43,316, versus £41,444 in Glasgow - a gap of £1,872/year (ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025).

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 £218/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	£932	£1,150	+£218 (Glasgow)
£50,000	£1,708	£1,926	+£218 (Glasgow)
£75,000	£2,873	£3,092	+£218 (Glasgow)
£100,000	£3,978	£4,196	+£218 (Glasgow)

Take-home uses region-correct UK tax bands. Rent is the median 2-bed; council tax is Band D. Northern Ireland cities have no Council Tax - the maths uses a typical domestic Rates bill instead (about £1,508/yr for a £150,000 capital-value Belfast home at 2026/27 poundages, Finance NI).

Key cost deltas

Edinburgh

2-bed rent: £1,325/mo
Council tax Band D: £1,626/yr
Median annual pay: £43,316
Country: Scotland

Glasgow

2-bed rent: £1,100/mo
Council tax Band D: £1,706/yr
Median annual pay: £41,444
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 £1,325/month in Edinburgh - a difference of £225/month or £2,700/year. Figures are ONS Price Index of Private Rents 2-bed averages.
Which city has higher median salary?: Edinburgh has the higher full-time median annual salary at £43,316, versus £41,444 in Glasgow - a gap of £1,872/year (ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025).
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 £218/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.