The cost of living in Scotland is an important consideration for anyone looking to move or travel to this beautiful country. While Scotland offers stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural history, understanding its expenses can help you plan your budget more effectively. From housing and groceries to transportation and utilities, the cost of living in Scotland can vary depending on the region. This article explores how living costs in Scotland compare to other parts of the UK, offering insights into whether Scotland is more affordable or expensive for everyday life.
Moving to Scotland may save you more money than you think. The cost of living in London is 44% more expensive compared to Edinburgh. In general, housing and transportation prices are cheaper in Scotland. Learn about housing, food, and general expenses in Scotland to help you plan your budget effectively.
Table of Contents
Is living in Scotland expensive?
The cost of living in Scotland is relatively lower than the cost of living in the rest of the UK. The average cost of living in Edinburgh is approximately 48% lower than that in London, taking into account all aspects of living. The living cost in Scotland is approximately £1500 per month for essential items. For cities like Edinburgh, this estimation includes shared housing, council tax, groceries & transportation.
What is the average salary in Scotland?
According to the latest early estimates for March 2024, the median monthly wage in Scotland was £2,389. A full-time employee in Scotland earns a median salary of £34,963, while a part-time employee earns a median salary of £12,52.
The average cost of living in Scotland is approximately £1,500 per month. A salary of £2,500 per month covers amenities, food, and rent in Scotland, which allows for a comfortable lifestyle.
What is needed to open a bank account in Scotland?
Since both countries are in the UK, you are free to open a basic bank account when you move to Scotland. You can use such an account for basic functions. Here’s what you need to open it:
- Proof of identity
- A recent photo
- Proof of address within the UK with a form of a utility bill from the past three months
The earliest you can open a Scottish bank account even without having a work offer yet is three months. After six or twelve months you have the option to upgrade your account to a “current’’ one.
Is it expensive to rent in Scotland?
Renting in Scotland can be more affordable compared to other parts of the UK.
| Accommodation Rent Per Month | Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| Apartment rent (1 bedroom) in city centre | £1,250 |
| Apartment rent (1 bedroom) outside of centre | £877 |
| Apartment rent (3 bedrooms) in city centre | £2,215 |
| Apartment rent (3 bedrooms) outside of centre | £1,500 |
Renting in Scotland allows you to allocate your finances towards other aspects of your life instead of property taxes, building insurance, and mortgage payments. It’s important to consider, however, that rental prices may rise over time, which may affect your long-term affordability.
Buying a property in Scotland
Although there are many differences between England and Scotland when it comes to purchasing a property, the Scottish system provides more safety nets to the buyers. One significant disadvantage of the English system is that there is no legally binding contract between the buyer and the seller until an exchange has been made. In contrast, the purchase process in Scotland is done through missives, such as the offer and counter-offer letters, which are legally binding.
If you’ve opted to buy a property rather than rent one, the process is relatively simple:
- Hire a property solicitor once you find the perfect property
- Arrange a viewing and if you like the place, request access to the Home Report. It consists of a single survey, a property questionnaire and an energy report.
- Set up a mortgage. The lender may need to see the Home Report in this case
- Ask your solicitor to “note interest”, which would allow you to learn the end date for the offers, as well as any other ongoing developments
- Make an offer through your property solicitor. Your offer can include conditions related to the date of purchase, the price, the title, etc.
- The seller’s solicitor addresses your offer or makes a counter-offer.
So, how long does it take to buy a house in Scotland? The whole process takes approximately six to seven weeks, provided there aren’t any other factors to delay the process.
How much are utility bills in Scotland?
On average, basic utilities in Scotland cost about £200 per month, with Edinburgh and Glasgow being the most expensive. Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for an 85m2 apartment will cost you around £260 per month.
Transportation expenses
Buses and trams are the most common forms of transportation to get around in Scottish cities. Glasgow is the only city with a subway system.
| Transportation | Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 liter) | £1.47 |
| Public transport for a monthly card | £66 |
| Internet for 1 month | £33 |
| Taxi trip 1-hour waiting | £30 |
For travelling long distances between cities if you do not have your own car, you can take advantage of a ride-sharing app called BlaBlaCar. You split a car drive with another person and it’s not as cheap as the bus but it’s faster and more comfortable. It’s also pretty safe to use it.
For smart financing, you should carefully choose where to live in Scotland.
Cost of necessities
In addition to the expenses, you can’t escape from like rent, utilities and transportation, the other most important and unavoidable monthly costs are those of food and personal care. Here are two tables to show you how much some of the basic foods and other necessities cost in Scotland.
Food costs in Scotland
Are groceries cheaper in Scotland than in England? Food is one of the main monthly costs for every household. The prices in London and Edinburgh are similar, but still, Edinburgh is a bit cheaper.
For a meal in a pub or restaurant, Edinburgh and Glasgow prices can be a bit higher than the average £20 per head. You can expect to spend around £60 per week on food if you self-catering.
A pint of beer in a pub in Scotland will cost you around £4.80.
| Food prices | Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| Milk | £1.25 |
| Loaf of fresh white bread | £1.43 |
| Rice | £1.45 |
| Eggs | £3.10 |
| Cheese | £9.05 |
| Chicken fillets | £17.40 |
Takeaways
There is no definite answer to this question because each house removals job is different. So, the international removals price is unique for each particular move.
Despite the many similarities with life in England, there are some very striking differences. Regardless of the reason why you’re moving from England to Scotland and the lifestyle you want, some of them might be just right up your alley.
(2 votes, 100.00 %)
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