Cost of living · 2026/27
Aberdeen: Cost of Living 2026/27
Europe's oil and gas capital. Workplace median pay (£834/week in ASHE 2025) is the highest of any Scottish city in this set - just ahead of Edinburgh - while a typical 2-bed averages only around £775/month, giving Aberdeen one of the strongest pay-to-rent ratios in this dataset.
At a glance
- Typical 2-bed rent
- £775/mo
- Council Tax Band D
- £1,748/yr
- Median annual pay (FT)
- £43,368
- Population
- 232,000
Note. Scottish income tax applies - see Edinburgh notes. Aberdeen City's Band D rose 6.8% in 2026/27 to £1,747.54 - the highest council element of the four Scottish cities in this set - and Scottish Water charges are billed on top. Rent figure is the ONS "Aberdeen and Shire" broad rental market area 2-bed average - city-only figures are not published at bedroom level.
Take-home after rent in Aberdeen
Monthly take-home for common UK salaries, using Scotland tax rates (our salary calculator), then subtracting typical rent and monthly council tax / rates.
| Gross | Take-home /mo | After rent | After rent + council tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| £43,368 (local median) | £2,887 | £2,112 | £1,966 |
| £50,000 | £3,169 | £2,394 | £2,248 |
| £75,000 | £4,334 | £3,559 | £3,413 |
| £100,000 | £5,438 | £4,663 | £4,517 |
Primary industries in Aberdeen
- Oil and gas (North Sea)
- Energy transition and offshore renewables
- Engineering
- Fishing and food processing
- Higher education (Aberdeen, RGU)