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