Cost of living · 2026/27

Edinburgh: Cost of Living 2026/27

Highest-rent Scottish city, with sharp pressure in recent years as Edinburgh became a UK tech hub. Scottish tax bands apply - slightly more progressive than the rest of the UK, affecting higher earners more.

At a glance

Typical 2-bed rent
£1,325/mo
Council Tax Band D
£1,626/yr
Median annual pay (FT)
£43,316
Population
548,000

Note. Scottish income tax 2026/27: 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. Band D of £1,626.05 is the council element only; Scottish Water water and sewerage charges (£652.32 at Band D in 2026/27) are collected on top via the same bill. Rent figure is the ONS Lothian broad rental market area 2-bed average - Edinburgh-only figures are not published at bedroom level.

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
£43,316 (local median) £2,884 £1,559 £1,424
£50,000 £3,169 £1,844 £1,708
£75,000 £4,334 £3,009 £2,873
£100,000 £5,438 £4,113 £3,978

Primary industries in Edinburgh

  • Financial services
  • Tourism
  • Government
  • Technology
  • Higher education

All 40 UK cities →

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