Living in Edinburgh: Salary, Housing & Cost of Living (2026)

Updated June 2026 · ONS data · HMRC 2026/27 rates

£1,450 avg rent/month ONS, April 2026
£290,000 avg house price ONS, March 2026
£43,200 local salary median ONS ASHE 2025 est.
£72/mo avg transport cost monthly estimate

Is My Salary Enough in Edinburgh?

See how far different salaries go in Edinburgh after tax and living costs.

Is £25,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £30,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £35,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £40,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £45,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £50,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £60,000 enough in Edinburgh? → Is £75,000 enough in Edinburgh? →

Can I Afford a House in Edinburgh?

See whether different salaries can cover the average Edinburgh house price of £290,000.

£25,000 salary in Edinburgh ✗ Out of reach → £30,000 salary in Edinburgh ✗ Out of reach → £35,000 salary in Edinburgh ✗ Out of reach → £40,000 salary in Edinburgh ✗ Out of reach → £45,000 salary in Edinburgh ✗ Out of reach → £50,000 salary in Edinburgh ✗ Out of reach → £60,000 salary in Edinburgh ✓ Affordable → £75,000 salary in Edinburgh ✓ Affordable →

Edinburgh vs Other Cities

See how Edinburgh compares to other UK cities for cost of living and salary.

Edinburgh vs London Rent £650 /mo cheaper in Edinburgh
→
Edinburgh vs Manchester Rent £101 /mo cheaper in Manchester
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Edinburgh vs Leeds Rent £400 /mo cheaper in Leeds
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Edinburgh vs Bristol Rent £250 /mo cheaper in Bristol
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Edinburgh vs Glasgow Rent £500 /mo cheaper in Glasgow
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Calculate Your Personal Numbers for Edinburgh

The figures above are based on average costs. Use our tools to enter your exact situation and get personalised results.

Salary Reality Checker See your take-home pay and disposable income in Edinburgh → Housing Affordability Tool See when you can afford to buy in Edinburgh → Should I Move Simulator Compare Edinburgh with other UK cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Edinburgh?

The average rent for a one-bedroom property in Edinburgh is £1,450 /month, based on ONS Private Rental Market Survey data for April 2026.

What is the average house price in Edinburgh?

The average house price in Edinburgh is £290,000, based on ONS UK House Price Index data for March 2026. The average flat price is £232,000.

What is the average salary in Edinburgh?

The estimated local median salary in Edinburgh is £43,200, derived from ONS regional pay data (ASHE 2025). This is £5,770 above the UK full-time median of £37,430.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Edinburgh?

Based on average costs in Edinburgh, a single person would need around £4,350 gross per year for rent to stay within 33% of take-home pay — a commonly used affordability guideline. Individual circumstances vary significantly.

Rent from ONS Private Rental Market Survey, April 2026. House prices from ONS UK House Price Index, March 2026. Local salary median derived from ONS regional pay data (ASHE 2025) — approximation only. All figures are estimates. Last updated: June 2026.