Cost of living · 2026/27
Edinburgh: Cost of Living 2026/27
Highest cost-of-living Scottish city. Rent pressures sharp since 2022 as Edinburgh became a UK tech hub. Scottish tax bands apply — slightly more progressive than rUK, affecting high earners more.
At a glance
- Typical 2-bed rent
- £1,450/mo
- Council Tax Band D
- £1,560/yr
- Median annual pay (FT)
- £37,440
- Population
- 548,000
Note. Scottish income tax: 19% starter / 20% basic / 21% intermediate / 42% higher / 45% advanced / 48% top. Different from England/Wales/NI — model on our salary calculator with region = Scotland.
Take-home after rent in Edinburgh
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £37,440 (local median) | £2,536 | £1,086 | £956 |
| £50,000 | £3,169 | £1,719 | £1,589 |
| £75,000 | £4,334 | £2,884 | £2,754 |
| £100,000 | £5,438 | £3,988 | £3,858 |
Primary industries in Edinburgh
- Financial services
- Tourism
- Government
- Technology
- Higher education