Cost of Living in Edinburgh

Category	Cost
Apartment Rentals	On average, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around £800-£900 per month, while a three-bedroom apartment in the same area can cost around £1,500-£1,800 per month. Outside the city centre, the cost drops to around £600-£700 for a one-bedroom apartment and £1,200-£1,400 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Apartment Purchases	The average price for a property in Edinburgh is around £280,000. However, this can vary greatly depending on the area and the size of the property. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre can cost around £200,000, while a three-bedroom apartment can cost upwards of £400,000.
Transportation	A monthly public transport ticket in Edinburgh costs around £57. Taxis start at around £3 and then cost around £1.50 per kilometre. The cost of petrol is around £1.30 per litre.
Groceries	The cost of groceries can vary, but on average, a litre of milk costs around £0.90, a loaf of bread costs around £1, a dozen eggs cost around £2, and a kilogram of chicken breasts costs around £7. Fruit and vegetables are similarly priced, with a kilogram of apples costing around £2 and a kilogram of potatoes costing around £1.
Restaurants	A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around £15, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around £60. A pint of domestic beer costs around £4, while a cappuccino costs around £3.
Utilities	Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, cost around £150 per month. Internet costs around £30 per month.
Private School Tuition	Private school tuition can vary greatly, but on average, it costs around £10,000-£15,000 per year for preschool, £15,000-£20,000 per year for elementary school, and £20,000-£25,000 per year for middle and high school.

Please note that these are average costs and can vary depending on various factors. It's always a good idea to do your own research and get multiple quotes before making any decisions.

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Edinburgh

"Living in Edinburgh can be considered moderately expensive. The cost of housing is relatively high, especially in the city center where renting a one-bedroom apartment can be quite costly. Outside the city center, the rent prices drop slightly but are still considerable. The cost of utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, and water are also a significant part of the monthly budget. Internet and mobile phone services are reasonably priced. Groceries can be expensive depending on where you shop, with local markets generally being cheaper than supermarkets. Eating out in Edinburgh can range from moderately priced to very expensive, depending on the type of restaurant. Public transportation in Edinburgh is efficient and reasonably priced, with options including buses, trams, and trains. Owning a car can be expensive due to the costs of petrol, insurance, and parking. Healthcare in Scotland is provided by the National Health Service and is free at the point of use for residents. However, private healthcare is also available and can be costly. Leisure activities such as gym memberships, cinema tickets, and nights out can add to the cost of living, but there are also plenty of free or low-cost activities to enjoy in the city. Overall, the cost of living in Edinburgh is comparable to other major cities in the UK, but it is still cheaper than London," said one expat living in Edinburgh.

Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Edinburgh for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $1,500 a month is possible, but it will require some budgeting and sacrifices. The cost of living in Edinburgh is relatively high compared to other cities in Scotland, but it's still lower than in London. Rent will be your biggest expense. If you want to live alone, a one-bedroom flat in the city centre will cost you around $800-$900 per month. However, if you're willing to live a bit further out or share a flat, you can find something for around $500-$600. Areas like Leith, Gorgie, and Dalry are more affordable and still have good transport links to the city centre. On the other hand, areas like New Town, Stockbridge, and Morningside are more expensive. Groceries will cost you around $200-$300 per month, depending on your eating habits. Eating out and socializing can be expensive, so you might have to limit that. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $15-$20, and a pint of beer is about $5. Public transport is quite good in Edinburgh. A monthly pass costs around $60. If you're used to having a car, you might have to give that up as parking and fuel are quite expensive. Utilities, including internet, will cost you around $150-$200 per month. Mobile phone plans are quite affordable, you can get a decent plan for around $20 per month. So, if you're careful with your spending, you can live on $1,500 per month, but you won't have much left for savings or unexpected expenses. You'll have to live in a cheaper area, limit your social activities, and possibly give up having a car. But on the bright side, Edinburgh is a beautiful city with lots of free or inexpensive things to do, like visiting the many parks and museums, or hiking up Arthur's Seat," commented an expat living in Edinburgh.

Can I live in Edinburgh on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Edinburgh for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $3,000 a month is definitely doable, but it will require some budgeting and careful planning. The cost of living in Edinburgh is relatively high compared to other parts of Scotland, but it's still lower than in London or other major European cities. Rent will be your biggest expense. If you want to live in the city centre, in areas like New Town or Old Town, you'll have to pay a premium. A one-bedroom flat in these areas can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 a month. However, there are more affordable neighborhoods just outside the city centre, like Leith, Gorgie, or Dalry, where you can find a one-bedroom flat for around $700 to $900 a month. Utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, will cost you around $150 a month. Internet and mobile phone services are relatively cheap, around $50 a month. Groceries will cost you around $300 a month if you cook at home most of the time. Eating out can be expensive, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing around $15, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costing around $70. Public transportation in Edinburgh is excellent and a monthly pass costs around $60. If you own a car, keep in mind that petrol is quite expensive and parking in the city centre can be a nightmare. Healthcare in Scotland is free for residents, but as an expat, you might need to get private health insurance, which can cost around $100 a month. As for entertainment, there are plenty of free or inexpensive things to do in Edinburgh, like visiting the many parks and museums, hiking up Arthur's Seat, or attending free events during the Edinburgh Festival in August. However, if you're into theatre, concerts, or fine dining, these can add up. In terms of sacrifices, you might have to give up living in the city centre, eating out frequently, or attending expensive events. But overall, I think it's possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month in Edinburgh if you're careful with your spending," said one expat living in Edinburgh.

Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Edinburgh for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $5,000 a month is definitely doable, even with a taste for modern amenities. The cost of living here is lower than in many other major cities in the UK. For instance, rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around $1,000 to $1,500 a month, while outside the city centre it's around $800 to $1,200. So, you can save a bit if you choose to live a bit further out. As for neighborhoods, Leith is a good option. It's a bit cheaper than the city centre but still has a lot of character and amenities. It's also close to the water, which is a nice bonus. Stockbridge is another good choice. It's a bit more expensive than Leith, but it's very charming and has a lot of great shops and restaurants. On the other hand, areas like New Town and Old Town are quite expensive. They're beautiful and very central, but you'll pay a premium for that. As for other expenses, groceries will probably run you around $300 to $400 a month. Eating out can be pricey, but there are plenty of affordable options if you know where to look. Public transportation is also quite affordable, with a monthly pass costing around $60. In terms of sacrifices, you might have to give up eating out at high-end restaurants regularly or going to the theatre often, as those can be quite expensive. But there are plenty of free or low-cost activities in the city, like hiking up Arthur's Seat or visiting the many free museums. All in all, I'd say that living in Edinburgh on $5,000 a month is not only possible, but you can live quite comfortably. You just need to be smart about where you choose to live and how you spend your money," commented an expat living in Edinburgh.